Serena Williams can't knock off rust in Wimbledon return — but it doesn't change her status

There were moments throughout the match where Williams looked like her past self. She didn't drop a point in her opening service game, and she fought back valiantly in the second set to win a tiebreaker.

But tennis, like all sports, favors fresh legs. Williams' legs just weren't fresh enough after spending nearly four years away from the game.

Expecting her to immediately compete for a title at Wimbledon after such a long break would be completely unrealistic. Almost no one can pick up where they left off after a lengthy hiatus, not even other elite athletes.

How did other star athletes fare in their comebacks?

At 38, NBA legend Michael Jordan suited up for the Washington Wizards during the 2001-02 season after the guard retired from the Chicago Bulls for a second time following the 1997-98 season. 

He didn't look like "Air Jordan" in his first game for Washington against the New York Knicks on Oct. 30, 2001. He scored 19 points on 7-of-21 shooting from the field in a 93-91 Washington loss. 

"I guess the biggest difference is I'm a little bit older than I was the last time I shot the ball," Jordan said, via The New York Times. "My game's a little bit different. My teammates are a little bit different. Obviously, the outcome I wanted tonight was a little bit different."

Jordan played just two seasons for the Wizards before retiring after the 2002-03 season.

Now, some athletes have been more successful than Jordan and Williams in their returns. Former heavyweight boxer George Foreman returned to the ring in 1987 after retiring in 1977. He subsequently rattled off 24 wins, but he was competing against way lesser fighters. When he faced someone of his caliber, it didn't go as smoothly. 

At 42, Foreman faced Evander Holyfield for the undisputed world heavyweight title on April 19, 1991. He went the distance in the 12-round bout but lost by a unanimous decision. He reclaimed the belt nearly three years later in a stunning upset against Michael Moorer. 

Unlike Foreman, Williams, who turns 45 on Sept. 26, doesn't sound interested in reaching the peak of her sport again. 

"Those times are over for me," she told ESPN's Malika Andrews before Wimbledon. "I had my opportunity, and I'm very happy with where I am."

And she should be. Williams remains the "GOAT" even after the short-lived comeback attempt at Wimbledon.