British hitting partner David Quayle helped Serena Williams prepare for a comeback in secrecy after being flown to Florida for training sessions that few people knew about.
The 26-year-old from Wigan, who has previously hit with the likes of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon, received an unexpected call while visiting his parents asking him to travel to the United States.
Quayle said he was left “pacing around the house in excitement” after being invited, but quickly realised he would have to keep the assignment strictly confidential.
“There was this excitement that she was going to play Queen’s, but no-one knew yet,” he told BBC Sport. “I didn’t tell anyone, only my family knew where I was going.”
He trained with Williams for just over a week on a private court in Florida, staying nearby with coach Jarmere Jenkins, who now works alongside Grand Slam doubles champion Rennae Stubbs.
Quayle’s connection to Williams dates back to earlier training stints at the Mouratoglou Academy in France ahead of her 2018 French Open return.
After successful sessions in Florida, he was retained as her hitting partner for her Queen’s preparations, which were still being kept under wraps at the time.
He is now set to be part of her support team again as she continues her doubles campaign alongside Victoria Mboko.
