Serena Williams Lands Final Wimbledon Wildcard for First Singles Match in Nearly 4 Years
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 21
Serena Williams Lands Final Wimbledon Wildcard for First Singles Match in Nearly 4 Years
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 21
Summary
Wimbledon awarded Serena Williams the last remaining wildcard on Sunday, putting the 44-year-old into the singles draw for her first singles appearance since the 2022 US Open.
The All England Club had to fill its final open spot before Monday’s qualifying draw, and Williams had kept her plans unclear even this week in Berlin.
Williams had already returned to doubles this month, winning at Queen’s Club before playing again in Berlin, where she said she was satisfied with her level.
The seven-time Wimbledon singles champion has not won a singles match there since 2019 and is trying to finish her Wimbledon story differently after a first-round exit in 2022.
Is Serena's comeback at 44 a final quest for glory, or the start of a new era for aging athletes?
Is a popular weight-loss drug the secret to Serena's comeback, and could it rewrite the rules of sport?
Wimbledon 2026: Serena Williams’ Return, Doubles Reunion with Venus, and the Tournament’s Cultural and Audience Impact
Overview
Wimbledon 2026 is set for a historic moment as Serena Williams returns to the tournament nearly four years after stepping away from tennis, motivated by her desire for her children to see her compete at her best. Her comeback, alongside her sister Venus in the women’s doubles, brings excitement and emotional resonance to the event. The Williams sisters’ participation, highlighted by their scheduled first-round doubles match, not only energizes fans but also underscores their enduring legacy in the sport. Serena’s recent doubles victory and her children’s inspiration are central to this highly anticipated return.