ESPN reporter Malika Andrews has revealed how Legend Serena Williams could be a different version from her past self at this year's Wimbledon, kicking off on Monday, June 29. Andrews noted Williams using the word "serene" to describe this version of herself.

Andrews made an appearance on SportsCenter, where she talked about her exclusive interview with Williams. She spoke about the change of mindset in the 23-time singles Grand Slam champion this time around.

"This is going to be a different Serena Williams this time around at Wimbledon. She told me that she's feeling a serene version of herself. And usually it's her intensity that is what has marked her as a competitor over the years, but this time, she's really leaning into the joy, into the fun." Andrews wrote in a post on X.

Andrews explained that Williams just wants to enjoy her time at Wimbledon. Andrews also asked Williams in her interview whether or not she is nervous ahead of Wimbledon.

"As of now, I'm not nervous," Williams said. "My expectations here is just to take it easy, be calm and have fun, which is something I've historically have never done, but in a good way. My intensity and passion have always been great, but I was never just like 'Oh, let's just have fun.'"

Williams has been a trailblazer for generations of tennis players, winning on the biggest of stages multiple times. But what was her take when Andrews asked her about chasing her 24th Grand Slam title?

Serena Williams Is Looking To Have Fun Instead Of Chasing Trophies

As reported by BBC.com, later in her interview, Andrews asked Williams for her take on equalling the legendary Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic's record of 24 singles Grand Slam titles. Williams, who is one short of reaching there, clearly has a different approach to Wimbledon.

"Oh god no, " Williams replied. "Those times are over for me. I had my opportunity, and I'm very happy with where I am."

Although Williams is making her comeback after four years, having played her last singles match at the 2022 US Open, where she lost in the third round to Australian Ajla Tomljanović 5-7, 7-6, 1-6, she has no interest in chasing the record 24th Grand Slam title.

Williams returned to tennis earlier in June at the HCBC Championships, where she played doubles with Canadian Victoria Mboko and won her first match in four years. However, Williams Queen's Club run was cut short after Mboko suffered an injury to her left knee.

Williams then chose Czech player Karolína Muchová as her partner for the Berlin Open, but lost the first match to New Zealand's Erin Routliffe and Mexican Giuliana Olmos 4-6, 4-6.

Now, with her singles return, she will also play doubles together with her sister, Venus Williams. Williams has won seven singles titles and six doubles titles at Wimbledon with Venus.

She will play against the 20-year-old Maya Joint in her opening round at Wimbledon on Tuesday, June 30.

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Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi