Williams gave birth to her first child last September and is on her way back to competitive action.

The American played her first match since giving birth earlier this month, losing a doubles clash against Demi Schuurs and Lesley Kerkhove alongside sister Venus at the Fed Cup.

Clarey, who was present at the match, says Williams’ fans must give her time to get back to her best and reckons Wimbledon in July would be a good time to judge the level she is at.

“She’s not moving as well laterally as she was before she took her maternity leave, all that’s quite normal and to be expected,” Clarey said of Serena Williams on The Tennis Podcast.

“But I think I can categorically state that she seems hungry still, she seemed like she was very eager to practice.

“When the ball was in her range, within her reach, she was still crushing it.

“The serve wasn’t clicking at top level yet, but I think we need to wait.

“But I think we’ll have a better idea by Wimbledon as to where she stands, that’s a great surface for her, to get her serve going again.

“It’s a big challenge and one of the biggest of her career, and goodness knows she’s had a few.”