Serena Williams is set to make her singles return at Wimbledon, according to the Associated Press.
What happened
At Wimbledon, starting Monday, Williams will compete in her first singles match in nearly four years. She previously returned to the court with two doubles matches this month. After playing with partners Victoria Mboko and Karolina Muchova, she expressed readiness to tackle the tournament’s challenges.[1]
“But if anybody can do it, it’s Serena,” said ESPN commentator Mary Joe Fernandez.
Williams accepted wild card invitations for both singles and doubles, partnering with her sister Venus. Despite her illustrious 23 Grand Slam singles titles, skepticism surrounds her readiness after such a long hiatus from competitive singles play.[3]
“Hopefully she’ll be able to be competitive right off the bat,” added Patrick McEnroe.
Why it matters
Williams’ return adds intrigue to the tournament, particularly given her historical success at Wimbledon, with seven singles titles. The stakes are high as she aims to demonstrate her competitive spirit against younger opponents, despite a lack of recent match experience. Her performance will capture the attention of tennis fans and the media alike.[2]
Background
This month, on June 5, 2026, Williams began her return by playing doubles at Queen’s Club, winning one match and losing another. Williams has not contested an official singles match since 2022, making her upcoming performance at Wimbledon both a test of endurance and skill.
What’s next
The singles draws for Wimbledon will be held on Friday, June 9, 2026, determining Williams’ first-round opponent. Her opening match will take place either on Monday, June 12, or Tuesday, June 13.
