Serena Williams accepted a wild card invitation to play singles at Wimbledon, according to the Associated Press. The 23-time Grand Slam champion will compete on June 27, 2026, at the All England Club, just after confirming her participation in doubles with her sister Venus.
What happened
Williams had to persuade herself to take on the challenge of playing singles at Wimbledon. The All England Club was offering one final wild card entry, and despite having already committed to doubles, Williams felt compelled to seize the opportunity. “I thought I should really take this opportunity. Who knows if I’ll ever make it here again. This could be it,” Williams stated during a press conference.
The 44-year-old expressed her internal struggle before the decision. “I was like, ‘What’s wrong with me, Serena? What are you thinking? Are you nuts? Like you really should do this,’” she explained. Williams’ first match since her retirement announcement in 2022 will be against 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia. “I know her. I’ve watched some of her videos,” Williams noted.
Why it matters
Williams’ return to singles is significant as she navigates her evolving relationship with tennis. Having been away since her farewell at the 2022 U.S. Open, her presence at Wimbledon reflects both a personal and professional comeback. Williams has emphasized her changing expectations, stating that her perspective is “definitely different for the first time in my career.”
Background
On September 2, 2022, Williams played her last match at the U.S. Open, losing in the third round to Ajla Tomljanovic. Prior to that, her most recent Wimbledon appearance was in June 2022, where she faced a first-round defeat against Harmony Tan. Williams described her departure from the sport as an “evolving” process.
In June 2026, Williams made her comeback by competing in doubles matches. She participated in a match at the Queen’s Club grass-court tournament, followed by another doubles match in Berlin, where she lost in the first round.
What’s next
Williams is set to face Maya Joint on June 27, 2026, on Centre Court, as part of her anticipated return to singles competition. The match will follow the opening game featuring defending champion Iga Swiatek.
