Alan Pattullo: Williams return will polarise opinion

The Williams sisters are back. Depending on your viewpoint, this will be either good or bad news. Both have signalled their intention to pitch up at Eastbourne next week to re-engage with an activity that brought them fame, fortune and often faint praise.

Some may find it dismaying that they have been immediately installed as favourites for the singles titles at Wimbledon. Indeed, it would surprise no-one if they ended up competing between themselves again on ladies' final day on Saturday 2 July, in what could be the last act of a possibly remarkable comeback.

Serena's return is perhaps most eyebrow raising. She cut her foot in a restaurant in Munich last July and the complications included a blood clot forming in her lung.

People will naturally focus on what such a quick return to the top of the bookmakers' lists says about the current state of women's tennis. However, it might instead recognise what a pair of sporting phenomenons the sisters are. Venus, too, has barely played since Wimbledon last year, and yet is aiming to add to her multiple crowns this summer.

Now aged 30 and 29 respectively, Venus and Serena will not be around much longer. Perhaps, as is often the case, they won't truly be appreciated until they have gone.