She's not been seen on a tennis court for seven months, but the former number one is clearly back in shape after a well-earned sabbatical. As she frolicked in the surf this week, Serena Williams showed off her famously honed physique and the rippling muscles that give her one of the most powerful serves in the game.
The 24-year-old looked red-hot in a halter-neck bikini as she cooled off in the waves at Malibu beach. Known for her love of fashion as well as tennis, she accessorised with a pair of large ethnic-style earrings. A seven-time Grand Slam winner, she is now keen to get back in the sporting spotlight after a long absence, making her return on Tuesday with a tournament in Cincinnati.
After taking insufficient time to recover from an operation on her left knee in 2003, the star decided she needed some proper rest and rehabilitation, while admitting she also needed it for herself, mentally. "I was going through a lot of stuff in my life, a lot more than everyone would know," she says. "This is something I should have done a few years ago."
Going shopping in Hollywood and waking up late gave the tennis prodigy some time to herself, "It was awesome for once to wake up at noon with no agenda. I was pretty much on Rodeo (Drive) every day." But since March she's been itching to get back to the courts and "worked out every day" with the results of her hard work clearly visible.
Despite slipping to 140 in the world rankings, if the latest pictures are anything to go by her opponents will be more than a little concerned. Her older sister and on-court competitor Venus recently had nothing but high praise for her sibling during an interview at Wimbledon. "I only play women's doubles with Serena," she said. "Once you've played with her you don't want to play with anyone else. She's awesome."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
