Serena Williams is coming back to Wimbledon singles. The All England Club handed the seven-time champion a wildcard on Sunday for this year's tournament, marking her first singles entry at the storied venue in four years.
The 44-year-old American, who won 23 Grand Slam titles across her career, had already secured her return to the championships through a doubles wildcard alongside her sister Venus. The singles invitation dramatically expands her comeback plans.
Williams stepped away from professional tennis after the 2022 US Open, describing the move as "evolving away from tennis" rather than announcing a formal retirement. Her last significant singles run at Wimbledon came in 2019, when she reached the semi-finals. She returned to the draw in 2021 and 2022 but lost early both years, including a three-set defeat to Harmony Tan in her most recent appearance.
Her path back to competitive tennis has been measured. Last week, Williams and Karolina Muchova suffered a doubles loss at the German Open, falling 6-4, 6-4 to Erin Routliffe and Giuliana Olmos. Before that setback, Williams and Victoria Mboko won at Queen's Club before Mboko's medial collateral ligament injury forced her withdrawal from subsequent matches.
The Wimbledon wildcards represent Williams' most concrete commitment to tournament play since her hiatus. At 44, competing in both singles and doubles at one of tennis' most demanding venues signals a genuine competitive push rather than a ceremonial farewell.
Author James Rodriguez: "Williams getting the wildcard is the story tennis needed right now. Whether she wins or loses, watching her actually compete in singles at Wimbledon again changes the entire conversation around comebacks at 44."
Comments