Serena Williams receives Wimbledon singles wildcard
The All England Club said Williams will play women’s singles at Wimbledon after returning to competition this month.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Serena Williams has been given a wildcard into the women’s singles draw at Wimbledon, putting the seven-time champion back in Grand Slam singles play after more than three years away from the tour. The All England Club said Sunday that Williams received the last of eight women’s singles wildcards for this year’s tournament, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.
The decision adds one of tennis’s most recognizable players to the field even though her ranking did not qualify her for direct entry. Al Jazeera and Reuters reported that Wimbledon’s wildcard places are awarded by tournament organizers and often go to British players, major names with strong career records or players returning after time out.
Williams, 44, last won the Wimbledon singles title in 2016. She first played the tournament in 1998, when she reached the third round in singles, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.
The All England Club announced her singles return in a social media post on Instagram and X, writing: “This is not a drill.”
Return began in doubles
Williams had already accepted a Wimbledon women’s doubles wildcard with her sister Venus Williams, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. The sisters have won six Wimbledon doubles titles together between 2000 and 2016, matching the tournament record cited in the report.
Her comeback began earlier this month at the Queen’s Club Championships, where she played doubles with Canada’s Victoria Mboko on June 9. Al Jazeera and Reuters reported that the pair reached the quarterfinals before withdrawing through a walkover because of an injury to Mboko.
Williams then played at the Berlin Open with Karolina Muchova of Czechia. They lost in the round of 16, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.
The Wimbledon singles wildcard means Williams is set for her first Grand Slam singles appearance since stepping away from tennis after the 2022 US Open. At the time, she said she would “evolve away from tennis,” though Al Jazeera and Reuters reported that she did not formally retire.
A decorated Grand Slam record
Williams owns 37 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles and mixed doubles, along with 96 WTA titles, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. Her record includes seven Wimbledon singles championships, placing her among the most successful players in the tournament’s modern history.
She announced her return in a social media post on June 2, posting a video with the caption: “Good news travels fast.” Al Jazeera and Reuters reported that the news drew a warm response from current and former players.
Wimbledon is the third Grand Slam tournament of the year. With her singles and doubles wildcards now confirmed, Williams is scheduled to compete in both events at the All England Club.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.