LONDON (AP) 鈥� When played her first professional tennis match in nearly four years recently, another elite female athlete in her 40s was on hand for the occasion.
Skier has a special understanding of what Williams is going through as she prepares to play both singles and doubles at at age 44.
After making her own comeback, Vonn was the top World Cup downhiller last season at age 41 until her in February left her with .
鈥淭here is an increasing shift in what women can accomplish at later stages in their careers or life,鈥� Vonn told The Associated Press. 鈥淚 feel like we are in the same boat, where we don鈥檛 need to prove anything to anyone but we still have the ability to compete at an elite level. She (Willliams) also told me that I played a role in inspiring her to come back so that of course was meaningful to me.鈥�
Vonn talked with Williams after the tennis standout鈥檚 doubles victory with partner Victoria Mboko at Queen鈥檚 Club in London, having watched the match from one of the VIP balconies.
鈥淪he was in great spirits. She鈥檚 having fun which I loved seeing, even more than her tennis,鈥� Vonn said in a written response. 鈥淚f it鈥檚 bringing her joy to play, I say play as long as you want!鈥�
Vonn has undergone eight surgeries following her Olympic crash 鈥� which 鈥� and needs at least one more to repair a torn ACL in that same knee. But she鈥檚 back in the gym and has resumed physical training, while still assessing whether she鈥檒l compete again.
After nearly six years away from skiing, Vonn returned in December 2024 with a partial titanium replacement in her right knee. She had two victories and seven podium results last season.
On Centre Court at Wimbledon on Tuesday, Williams will play her first singles match since 2022 against 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia. Then she鈥檒l play doubles with older sister Venus Williams later in the week.
So what does Vonn expect from Williams at Wimbledon?
鈥淚t鈥檚 her first major singles tournament since retiring so I would expect for her to play well but not show all her cards yet,鈥� Vonn said. 鈥淚鈥檓 sure she can still win, but I wouldn鈥檛 put any expectations on her. She鈥檚 the GOAT (greatest of all time) no matter what happens.鈥�
Indeed, Williams is a 23-time Grand Slam champion in singles and has won 14 more Grand Slams in doubles 鈥� all with Venus as her partner. Vonn鈥檚 45 World Cup downhill wins are the most by a male or female skier.
鈥淚t was kind of like riding a bike,鈥� Williams said Sunday of her first practice sessions back at the All England Club. 鈥淥bviously when I play, I might have a lot of things come up.鈥�
No matter the outcome, Williams shares Vonn鈥檚 credo of setting the bar high to create new standards.
鈥淵ou have to believe in yourself and go for any dream,鈥� Williams said, 鈥渘o matter how wild it may be.鈥�
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