Seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams had doubts about accepting a wild card into this year¡¯s ?singles draw but is now looking forward to enjoying her return to the All England Club.

The 44-year-old American will face Australia¡¯s Maya Joint in the first round on Centre Court on Tuesday, marking her first appearance at Wimbledon since 2022, when she exited in ?the opening round.

Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam winner, stepped away from the sport ?later ?that year but returned to competitive tennis this month.

¡°I think in ?general my expectations are definitely different for the first time in my career,¡± Williams told reporters on Sunday in London.

¡°I feel like my feelings are just ¡ª not ?that I never enjoyed it before, or else I wouldn¡¯t be here today ¡ª but I ?feel like I¡¯m really going to enjoy being out there.¡±

Williams last played a competitive singles match at the 2022 U.S. Open, where she said ?she was ¡°evolving away from tennis.¡± ?She will take on 53rd-ranked Joint, a 20-year-old who has won two WTA Tour titles, including a grass-court event at ?Eastbourne last year. Williams ?will also compete in the doubles draw, alongside her ?sister Venus.

¡°I expect to be nervous,¡± Williams said. ¡°I was also nervous every single ?match ?I ever played in my life.

¡°I think that showed the passion and the love and the care, that I cared about my job, whether it was the first round or the second round or the finals. ?I¡¯ve always had some nerves. But then I just dust ¡¯em off, then I move on.¡±

Williams returned to action earlier this month after a four-year absence, playing doubles at Queen¡¯s Club with Canada¡¯s Victoria Mboko and also competing in Berlin.

Asked about her return and the ?message she ?hopes to send, the mother of two said she relished ?the opportunity to compete again.

¡°People live to be an athlete,¡± she said. ¡°I have this great ?opportunity to showcase what I do, what I do best, I suppose.

¡°Yeah, I think ultimately I was like, that is pretty cool, so I should do it.

¡°I think there will be a message that I will ?think o, and I will learn also and I can spread. But as of now, I just think you have to believe in yourself and go for any dream, no matter how wild it may be.¡±