Serena waits to be SW19 seed

WIMBLEDON will consider next month whether to grant Serena Williams a seeding for the tournament and not ‘penalise’ her for having a baby.

Seven-time champion Williams has dropped to No 449 in the world after taking time out to get married and for the difficult birth of daughter Alexis Olympia, which left the former world No1 fearing she could die after developing blood clots.

Williams, 36, has played only two tournaments since the birth, losing in the last 32 at Indian Wells and the first round in Miami. But she is scheduled to play in the Madrid Open this week, then in Rome, followed by the French Open and Wimbledon.

WIMBLEDON’S prize pot has increased to £34 million, with the men’s and women’s singles winners earning £2.25m each, up 2.5 per cent on last year. ❑BRITAIN’S Cameron Norrie reached the second round of the Millennium Estoril Open in Portugal with a stunning victory yesterday over sixth seed, Dutchman Robin Haase.

Norrie, the world No103, prevailed 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in what was his first ATP Tour win on clay. WILLIAMS THE FIA hope new rules set for the 2019 season will help make it easier for drivers to overtake.

The sport’s governing body confirmed that aerodynamic changes would be introduced to allow cars to race closer together.

From next season cars will have a simplified front wing with a larger span, which has a low ‘outwash’ potential and means less air is directed outside the wheels, giving the car behind more grip to go through corners faster.