Serena Williams ranks alongside Michael Jordan in all-time sporting greats, says John McEnroe

John McEnroe says Serena Williams ranks alongside Michael Jordan in the all-time sporting greats, as she prepares for her potential Wimbledon swansong aged 40.

Having been awarded a wildcard to compete for a record 24th major title, Williams is in practice ahead of her doubles warm-up appearance with world No 4 Ons Jabeur at Eastbourne.

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Williams last played a competitive match on Centre Court at last year's tournament, when she was forced to retire with a hamstring problem. Now, ahead of what could be her last appearance at the All England Club, McEnroe has spoken in glowing terms about a player he once said would only feature as "like 700" in men's tennis.

"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," said the BBC pundit. McEnroe had said prior to Williams confirming her appearance that there was "a reasonable chance" she would feature at Wimbledon given her heartache last year. "To see what happened last year, you sort of hate to see someone like Serena go out like that," he said.

Confirmation of the seven-time champion's wildcard came from the AELTC on Tuesday afternoon, following Williams' Instagram post saying:

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One absentee will be Naomi Osaka, however, as she confirmed that her Achilles injury will rule her out. The 24-year-old Japanese has not played since a first-round exit at the French Open and had already said her Wimbledon participation was in doubt due to the tournament's lack of ranking points this year. She had since posted footage of herself on social media undergoing rehab on her injury, and on Saturday wrote: "My Achilles still isn't right so I'll see