Serena Williams set to play at Wimbledon

Serena Williams, who hasn’t played a tennis tournament since winning Wimbledon in 2010, announced Monday that she plans to play Wimbledon, which begins June 20, and a tournament in Eastbourne next week as preparation.

“I am so excited to be healthy enough to compete again,” Williams said in a statement. “These past 12 months have been extremely tough and character-building. I have so much to be grateful for. I’m thankful to my family, friends and fans for all of their support. Serena’s back!”

After Williams won Wimbledon last July, her 13th major championship, she cut tendons in her foot in an accident she said was caused by stepping on broken glass at a restaurant in Germany. Since then she has had two surgeries.

In February she suffered from a pulmonary embolism that required treatment at a Los Angeles hospital.

Williams was ranked No. 1 in the world after her Wimbledon win last year. She is now ranked No. 25. Wimbledon does not do its draw placements strictly according to the computer rankings, unlike the other three major tournaments, so Williams could have a seeding better than her ranking.

—Diane Pucin

ETC.

Warriors hire Mark Jackson

The Golden State Warriors hired television analyst and former NBA point guard Mark Jackson as their head coach.

The team announced the decision to have Jackson replace Keith Smart on Monday.

The 46-year-old Jackson has no coaching experience but has been the lead analyst for ABC and ESPN’s NBA coverage in recent seasons.

NASCAR levied a $150,000 fine on longtime team owner Richard Childress for an incident in which Childress reportedly fought with driver Kyle Busch in the garage at Kansas Speedway.

Childress, 65, also was put on probation until Dec. 31 for what NASCAR described only as “an altercation,” but that multiple media outlets said was Childress’ getting Busch in a headlock and punching him more than once before they were separated Saturday after a NASCAR truck race.

NASCAR also issued a rare additional statement along with the penalty, saying it was “confident all parties involved understand our position on this matter and will move forward appropriately.”

Childress responded with a statement saying he was “responsible for my actions,” that he accepted the penalty and that he let his “passion and my emotions get the best of me.”

The fight came Saturday after Busch had tangled on the track with one of Childress’ drivers, Joey Coulter.

—Jim Peltz

Former New York Giants star receiver Plaxico Burress was released from prison after spending nearly two years behind bars on a gun charge and headed to Florida to be with his family as he contemplates his chances of playing again in the NFL.

Krista Donnenwirth hit two of Arizona State’s four home runs and drove in four runs, Kaylyn Castillo and Annie Lockwood had three RBIs apiece, and the Sun Devils routed Florida, 14-4, in the opening game of the Women’s College World Series finals at Oklahoma City.

Eric Sondheimer of The Times has been awarded first place in the best column category in the annual writing competition by the California Prep Sports Writers Assn. It is the fourth time Sondheimer has won the award.

Colin Montgomerie could miss the British Open for the first time in 22 years after finishing last in a qualifying event at London.

Montgomerie continued the poor form he showed at the Wales Open last week, shooting a combined six-over 145 at the 36-hole eventGraeme Storm .