The 23-year-old has struggled with
shoulder and ankle problems and even
battled through a rib injury to beat
Lindsay Davenport to the Australian
crown.
Injury then forced her to retire at
Amelia Island and saw her tumble to
defeat against Francesca Schiavone at
May's Rome Masters.
And the American also withdrew from
the French Open because of a persistent
ankle problem.
While Serena's long-term committment
to the game may be in doubt, the American
always delivers at Wimbledon.
She has her best Grand Slam record
on grass, winning the title twice and
finishing as runner-up to Maria Sharapova
last year.
A spell away from the draining competitive
circuit will see her return with renewed
vigour - which should be enough of a
warning for Serena's title rivals.
