Roddick backs Serena’s return

Andy Roddick believes women’s tennis will be better off with Serena Williams back in the game following her return from injury.

The 13-time Grand Slam champion will return at the Aegon International at Eastbourne next week after accepting a wild card.

It will mark her return to the sport from a foot injury and health problems, having not played since winning Wimbledon last year, and Roddick said women’s tennis would benefit.

“It’s great. I mean, I think, no disrespect to any of the women that are playing right now, I think women’s tennis needs that dominating figure,” Roddick said on Thursday after beating Kevin Anderson in straight sets in the Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club.

“Even though she hasn’t played for a year, she still is that personality.”

“(She is) certainly going to be the top storyline going into Wimbledon and I don’t think it would shock anybody if she came through and won it again.”

Roddick said Williams had made the right move by deciding to play at Eastbourne next week.

“I think that it’s very smart of her to play a lead-up event, especially after being gone for a year,” he said.

“I think I speak for most people in tennis - you want her in the game for so many reasons. Not only because she wins and is a great champion, but she brings pop culture to tennis.”

“She brings cross-over appeal and she creates storylines even when she’s not trying which at the end of the day is good for our sport.”

Williams is a four-time champion at the All England Club, but has slipped to 25th on the world rankings after her recent spell out of the game.

Sister Venus will also make her return at Eastbourne having only played twice since making the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2010. (www.sportal.co.in)