Serena Williams Practices on Centre Court; 1st Foe No. 113

Serena Williams walks to the practice courts ahead of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, england, Thursday June 23, 2022. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

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By Associated Press

June 24, 2022 at 10:14 AM UTC

Updated on

June 25, 2022 at 4:20 AM UTC

Wimbledon, England (AP) -- Serena Williams walked out on Centre Court under a closed retractable roof on Friday afternoon, taking advantage of Wimbledon's new policy of allowing players to practice there and at No. 1 Court before the tournament begins next week.

Accompanied by coach Eric Hechtman — who has worked with her older sister, Venus, and replaces longtime coach Patrick Moratoglou, now with Simona Halep — and hitting partner Jarmere Jenkins, Williams returned to the site of her last official singles match anywhere, nearly a full year ago at the All England Club. That ended after less than a set, when Williams slipped on the slick turf and injured her right leg.