Serena Williams compared to Michael Jordan ahead of potential final Wimbledon dance

John McEnroe has compared "icon" Serena Williams to Michael Jordan as she prepares for her potential last dance at Wimbledon. The 23-time singles Grand Slam winner will return to action for the first time in nearly a year playing doubles at the Rothesay International Eastbourne this week.

And the American superstar will then make her latest - and perhaps final - bid to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slams after accepting a Wimbledon wildcard into the singles. She has not won a Major since becoming a mother in September 2017.

NBA legend Jordan's final season with the Chicago Bulls was chronicled in the Netflix series The Last Dance. Playing Wimbledon and the US Open this summer could prove the last chance for Williams, now 40, to make more history.

She limped out of SW19 in tears last year after twisting her ankle in the first round and has not played a competitive match since. Now the return of the seven-time Wimbledon champion is set to transcend tennis and become one of the biggest talking points of The Championships.

"Serena's obviously been trying to get that one to tie Margaret Court and win that first one since she had a kid," said BBC commentator McEnroe. "But she seems to have become, I believe it's all around the world, but certainly in America, she's up there with like Michael Jordan and the all time great athletes icons."

There is no doubting the sporting and cultural impact that Williams has made on sport and society. But the world No.1208's current condition and ability to play Grand Slam tennis is a mystery. Her former coach Patrick Mouratoglou is now working with Simona Halep and her comeback was only confirmed on Tuesday.

"I haven't seen her - no one has seen anyone, really," McEnroe added.