Serena Williams Returns to Wimbledon Singles on June 29

Serena Williams will compete in the Wimbledon singles draw as a wild card beginning June 29, 2026. The tournament will showcase several prominent tennis players, including defending champion Iga Swiatek.

What happened

The Championships at Wimbledon will start on June 29, 2026, with matches held at the All England Club. The finals for singles will occur on July 11, followed by the doubles final on July 12. Notable participants include world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, former champions Elena Rybakina and Barbora Krejcikova, along with Williams, who returns after receiving a wild card for both singles and doubles. Williams expressed her excitement, stating, ‘I’m excited to be back.’

Why it matters

The 2026 Wimbledon Championships feature significant prize money, totaling £64.2 million ($84.5 million). Champions in both singles events will receive £3.6 million ($4.75 million), reflecting a 20% increase compared to previous years. With 2,000 ranking points awarded for both singles draws, the tournament plays a critical role in determining player rankings.

Background

<p.Last year's champion, Iga Swiatek, won her first Wimbledon title on July 10, 2025, with a decisive 6-0, 6-0 victory over Amanda Anisimova, marking her sixth Grand Slam title. The wild card announcements on May 20, 2026, heightened anticipation for the event, attracting attention with various notable entries and withdrawals.

What's next

The singles draw ceremony is scheduled for June 26 at 10 a.m. local time, followed by the doubles draw at noon. Fans eagerly await the detailed match schedules and potential matchups as the tournament approaches.