Serena Williams Accused Of Taking Attention Away From Other Players By Ex-Wimbledon Champ As 19-Year Feud Reignites

Serena Williams was recently slammed by the former Wimbledon champion, Michael Stich, reigniting their 19-year-old feud. Stich seemingly accused the American of taking away the attention from other players by making a comeback.

Williams, who was away from the sport for almost four years, returned to tennis in June and has since competed in the doubles event of the HSBC Championships and the Berlin Open. She recently received a Wimbledon doubles wildcard and will team up with her sister, Venus Williams, for the tournament. In addition, she accepted a late wildcard entry to the singles draw of the Grand Slam.

While the whole tennis world eagerly awaits the American’s comeback, former player and BBC Sport pundit Stich, who reportedly had a heated exchange with Williams in 2007 after commenting on her injury, has once again seemingly taken aim at her. He appeared to accuse Williams of taking attention away from other players with her return to the court.

In a conversation with Amazon Prime media on Friday, calling her comeback “unfair,” the 1991 men’s Wimbledon champion said:

“She has an unbelievable career, that is beyond question. But why does she have to come back and play again? I can’t make sense of it in my head. I think for the other players it is nothing positive because attention is being taken away from them by a player who is outstanding but who does not have the slightest chance of winning Wimbledon.”

Michael Stich has won two Wimbledon titles during his career, one in 1991 in the men’s singles and a second in the 1992 men’s doubles.

What happened between Serena Williams and Michael Stich in 2007? 

At the 2007 Wimbledon Championships, Serena Williams suffered a severe left calf muscle cramp and strain during her fourth-round match against Daniela Hantuchova. She collapsed in pain at 5-5 in the second set and was barely able to move. She was trailing 4-2 in the second-set tiebreaker when a heavy rain delay halted the match.

The delay allowed the American to receive medical treatment and get her legs heavily taped. Returning to the court, she made a comeback to secure a 6-2, 6-7 (7), 6-2 win. Shortly after this match, Michael Stich, who was then working as a television commentator, questioned her injury, saying:

“You’re either injured or you’re not, I’m not sure what we saw last night.”

Williams shared a blunt response to his comments, saying:

“I’ve never taken a shot at him. If I were in his position to hit on, to make fun of someone in my position, I would never say that. My career is actually more stellar than Stich’s, so he can say whatever he pleases. I’ve never been over-dramatic in my whole career. I have never experienced that much pain. I’ve always been a fighter and I’ve always fought through things my whole life.”

Following the American’s reply, Stich shared his clarification, adding:

“I never criticized her career. Winning all four Slams is outstanding, there’s no doubt about it. I believe she was in pain but I think it was a little bit of overreacting.”

Serena Williams is now set to compete against Maya Joint in the opening round of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships on June 30.