Serena Williams returns to Wimbledon singles after wildcard announcement
Consensus Summary
Serena Williams will make her first Wimbledon singles appearance in four years after receiving a wildcard for the 2026 tournament, which begins June 29. She had previously been granted a doubles wildcard alongside her sister Venus, with whom she has won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, including six at Wimbledon. Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion and seven-time Wimbledon winner, last competed in singles at the 2022 US Open and lost in the first round of Wimbledon 2022 to Harmony Tan. Her return marks a dramatic comeback after retiring from singles in 2022, though her physicality at 44 remains a question. The All England Club also awarded wildcards to other notable players, including Maja Chwalinska, who will be seeded despite missing the rankings cut. Williams has resumed her doubles career this season, winning her first match back at Queenâs Club before competing in Berlin. While her singles comeback is historic, the challenge of competing at Wimbledonâs high level after a four-year absence looms large.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Serena Williams received a wildcard for the Wimbledon 2026 singles draw, marking her first singles appearance since 2022.
- Serena Williams had already been granted a doubles wildcard with Venus Williams for Wimbledon 2026.
- Serena Williams last played Wimbledon singles in 2022, losing in the first round to Harmony Tan.
- Serena Williams is a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion and a seven-time Wimbledon singles champion.
- Serena Williams returned to competition in 2026 at Queenâs Club, winning her first match in doubles with Victoria Mboko.
- Serena Williams is 44 years old and Venus Williams is 46 years old.
- Wimbledon 2026 starts on June 29.
- Serena Williams and Venus Williams have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, including six at Wimbledon.
- Serena Williams last competed in singles at the 2022 US Open, where she defeated Anett Kontaveit before losing to Ajla Tomljanovic.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Serena Williams first appeared at Wimbledon in 1998, reaching the third round of singles.
- Serena Williams won her first Wimbledon singles title in 2002, beating Venus in the final.
- Serena Williams spent a combined total of 319 weeks as the WTA world number one.
- Serena Williams added Wimbledon singles crowns in 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2016.
- Maja Chwalinska, ranked No 21, received a wildcard and will be seeded at Wimbledon despite missing the rankings cut.
- Stan Wawrinka and Grigor Dimitrov received singles wildcards, while Dan Evans and Henry Searle received a doubles wildcard.
- Serena Williams competed in Berlin with Karolina Muchova, losing in the first round but declaring satisfaction with her level.
- Serena Williams trained on Wimbledonâs grass courts in advance of her return.
- Serena Williams suffered a serious hamstring injury in 2021 after falling on Centre Court at Wimbledon.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Serena Williams did not request a singles wildcard, while ABC does not mention this detail.
- The Guardian mentions Serena Williams was coy about returning to singles, while ABC states she accepted the wildcard after it was offered.
Source Articles
Serena Williams back at Wimbledon after being granted doubles wildcard with Venus
Williams sisters have won six doubles titles at SW19 French Open finalist Chwalinksa awarded wildcard Serena and Venus Williams will rekindle their doubles partnership at Wimbledon this month after receiving a wildcard into the womenâs doubles draw. The All England Club announced the recipients on Tuesday morning in one of the most highly anticipated wildcard announcements in recent memory considering Serenaâs return this month after four years of retirement. Serena, a seven-times singles champi
Serena Williams to make Wimbledon singles comeback
Serena Williams will make a stunning return to singles at this year's Wimbledon after accepting the final wildcard berth by the All England Club.
Serena Williams to make Wimbledon singles comeback after being handed wildcard
Seven-time champion, now 44, continues on-court return She will also compete in doubles with sister Venus Serena Williams will make a stunning return to singles competition at Wimbledon after being announced as the tournamentâs final wildcard on Sunday. Wimbledon will mark Williamsâs first singles appearance in nearly four years after retiring from the sport at the 2022 US Open and it marks a dramatic escalation in her comeback. Continue reading...