• Wimbledon, Day Two

Serena shows her softer side

Serena Williams broke down in tears after her victory © PA Photos

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What They Said

She has won over £20 million in prize money and has 13 grand slam titles to her name, but Serena Williams' most emotional victory was a first-round match against Aravane Rezai.

Williams has been out of action for nearly a year after a serious health scare delayed her comeback from a foot injury, and it was a poignant return to Centre Court for the defending champion. Williams struggled to hide her emotions after clinching a 6-3 3-6 6-1 victory over Rezai.

"I usually don't cry, I don't understand it," she said. "It's been so hard I never dreamt I'd be here. I just wanted to win at least one match here and since I'm not playing doubles it was a really big win for me. It's been so hard and has been a disaster year."

So much of the Williams sisters' image is premeditated, but her reaction to victory was raw, spontaneous and showed a whole new side to Serena - and dispelled any doubts that she had fallen out of love with the sport.

Love them or loathe them, the Williams sisters have been the dominant force in women's tennis over the last decade, no more so than at the All England Club. Having won nine titles (Venus has five; Serena four) in the last 11 years, the Williams sisters are considered genuine contenders to win at SW19, despite lengthy absences from the game.

Both have been out of action in 2011; Venus suffered an abdominal injury at the Australian Open, while Serena has not been seen since winning her fourth Wimbledon crown last year.

In one of the more unconventional tennis injuries, the 13-time grand slam champion cut her foot in a restaurant. As her return date kept getting pushed back, she was at Flushing Meadows for the US Open, but only to support her sister from the stands as she sported a hefty cast.

But just as she looked set to return to training, Serena suffered a major health scare and was forced to undergo emergency surgery on a blood clot.

In recent years the pair have struggled with injuries and have seemingly been more interested in pursuing other interests - with fashion lines, a charity foundation, a bit-part acting career, and a stake in NFL franchise Miami Dolphins, and a book in the pipeline, the world is Serena's oyster when she decides to hang up her racket.

Back in March, it seemed that Serena was at a turning point in her career. But after a lengthy rehabilitation period, she is back with a bang. And if there was any doubt about her commitment to her sport, her reaction after her victory over Rezai spoke volumes.

Later, in her press conference, Williams joked that she had something in her eye. "It's been a disaster year, but I've been praying," Williams said. "To be able to come back at Wimbledon is pretty awesome. I didn't expect to play. And I didn't expect to even do anything. So I'm just excited. I've never cried with joy for anything.

"For me it wasn't about winning the match. It was about being out there... It just really goes to show if you don't give up, you still have a chance. I guess I proved that I could, that I could. I think that sums it up: I could."

Rezai, who herself has struggled with off-court issues in 2011, summed up the new side to Serena.

"It shows she's not a machine, she's a human being," Rezai said. "We all have a heart, we all have emotions."

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