Eastbourne, England: Serena Williams skipped a scheduled practice session in Eastbourne on a late Monday notice as the 23 Grand Slam champions are preparing to return to competition a year later.
Williams was expected to train at a nearby club over the weekend and have an on-site session at Devonshire Park before playing Ons Jabeur and doubles. Their first match will be against Sara Sorribes Tormo and Marie Boweskova on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old Williams, who hasn’t played anywhere since being injured in the first round of Wimbledon last year, won a singles wildcard at the All England Club.
Jabber said it was “unbelievable” to be asked by Williams as part of his journey back to the Wimbledon warm-up competition.
“I’m a good nondisclosure. Yes, I knew it before the French Open,” said third-placed Jaber, who arrived in Eastbourne after winning the title in Berlin on Sunday.
“Many players were jealous because I was playing with her. To be honest, Serena is Serena. She is a legend and will always be.”
Jabber said he wants to learn “then even like 2%”. “Now I’m joking with other doubles players. It was like,’If you have a minus 20 grand slam, don’t tell me to play doubles anymore.'”
Jabber will withdraw from singles in Eastbourne following his title in Germany and will only play doubles. Still, considering who she’s affiliated with, she’ll be busy this week.
“I can’t wait to see her, I haven’t seen her yet,” Jabber said of Williams. I want to win this doubles, why not win the title here? “
From the first round of Monday’s singles, there were three qualifying rounds, Donna Vekic, Kirsten Flipkens and Lesia Tsurenko, and two British wildcards, Jody Barrage and Harriet Dart.
Losing in the Birmingham Classic semi-finals over the weekend, Solana Chilsteer chased Angelina Carinina 6-0, 2-1 before retiring.
In the second round, American player Alison Riske lost to Poland’s Magdalenette 6-7 (3), 6-3, 7-6 (4), and five-seeded Galvinem Gruza 6-1 to Magdalena Fletch. I lost 7-6. (7).
At the men’s event, Australia’s sixth-seeded Alex de Minaur began defending the title by defeating Christian Garin 6-3, 6-3 in the first round.
Two Americans (fifth seeded Reilly Opelka and seventh seeded Francis Tiafo) were beaten.
