Serena Williams will play singles at Wimbledon after accepting a wild-card invitation from the All England Club. The 44-year-old’s return comes after nearly four years away from professional tennis, and it adds a surprise twist to an already notable comeback.
The move also means Williams will compete in both singles and doubles at Wimbledon. She had already accepted a wild card for the doubles draw with her older sister, Venus Williams.
Why The Invitation Stood Out
Wimbledon kept the final women’s singles wild-card spot open until Williams made her decision, according to www.espn.com. That hesitation came after she appeared uncertain earlier in the week, when she said, “Oh my gosh, there are some left?” after learning a spot was still available.
Williams later sounded just as unsure about her readiness. “Do you think I’m ready for singles?” she asked a reporter and then turned to doubles partner Karolina Muchova for her view.
Muchova’s answer was cautious but open-ended. “I think I would be interested in it,” the Czech player responded, while Williams added, “That’s the question of the hour, right? I don’t know. I don’t know. I wonder why there’s — I don’t know.”
What Her Return Means For Wimbledon
Williams last played a singles match at the 2022 US Open, where she lost to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round. At that time, she said she did not want to use the word “retiring” and instead said she was “evolving” away from tennis.
Her résumé remains unmatched in the sport’s modern era. Serena owns 23 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven at Wimbledon, and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles with Venus, six of them at the All England Club.
She also won both singles and doubles titles at the 2012 London Olympics with Venus on Wimbledon’s grass courts. Wimbledon begins June 29, and she will find out her first-round opponent on Friday when the singles draw is held.
The Form Guide Heading Into The Tournament
Williams recently returned to doubles competition after nearly four years away from professional tennis. She won a doubles match with Victoria Mboko at Queen’s Club last week before the pair withdrew after Mboko sustained a knee injury in a singles match.
In another doubles outing at the Berlin Open on Tuesday, Williams and Muchova were beaten by Giuliana Olmos and Erin Routliffe.
As of Sunday, Williams had not entered any singles tune-up events on grass before Wimbledon. She is ranked No. 593 in doubles because of her recent victory, but she has no singles ranking after her long absence.
That lack of ranking leaves her draw wide open. Iga Swiatek is the defending Wimbledon champion, while Aryna Sabalenka is ranked No. 1, and Williams could face either player or another top seed in the early rounds.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.