Serena Williams is set to make an official return to Wimbledon’s singles competition after receiving a high-profile wild card for the 2026 tournament.
The All England Club confirmed Sunday that the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion will once again compete in the format she dominated for much of her legendary career.
The news represents a significant moment for Williams, 44, who has not played a professional singles match since the 2022 U.S. Open nearly four years ago.
Williams had already suggested that a return to Wimbledon’s grass courts could be possible after launching her competitive comeback in doubles. She is also scheduled to team up with her sister, Venus Williams, in the doubles draw.
Her return to competition began earlier this month at the Queen’s Club’s HSBC Championships, where she won a match before her run ended when doubles partner Victoria Mboko was forced to withdraw because of injury.
Before stepping back onto the court, Williams made clear she is entering this latest phase of her career on her own terms, saying she “doesn’t have anything to prove.”
Serena Williams will return to the Wimbledon singles draw after receiving a wild card entry.
The announcement is a major milestone for Williams, 44, whose most recent professional singles match came at the 2022 U.S. Open.
‘I don’t need to win,’ she said. ‘I’ve won more than most people have in their whole lives, so for me it’s not important to me, and it’s important that I keep reminding myself of that, because I don’t have anything to prove, I don’t have anything to lose, and everything here is just a game.’
Citing her desire for her children to see her play, and suggesting that the timing of their school holidays was a factor in her return at the start of the grass season, Williams spoke of missing the atmosphere of the tour, and wanting to have a ‘different experience’ of its buzz with her family along for the ride.
‘This whole journey, I’m putting no pressure on myself,’ she continued. ‘I’ve had enough pressure.
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‘(Being) an athlete is the best thing you can be, in the highest place, and having an opportunity to still be able to possibly do that one last time is cool and exciting.
‘I feel like I probably need to train a little bit more if I want to play singles, and we’ll see if I get there, and if not, that’s not my journey right now.’
Williams was speaking ahead of her comeback game at Queen’s, which she and Mboko won 7-6, 6-2 against No3 seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe.
‘I had so much fun,’ said Serena on court after the victory. ‘Vicky was really able to hold up the team on the big points. It felt so natural playing with her.’
Williams made her return to tennis and dominated at the Queen’s Club at the start of the month
Williams was congratulated by her husband Alexis and children, Olympia and Adira
Why did she come back? ‘I had nothing better to do – my kids are out of school for the summer so why not!’
Mboko, just 19 and playing with her idol, added: ‘It’s such a privilege to play beside you.’
Williams was watched by her proud family – husband Alexis and children, Olympia and Adira.
After the All England Club’s 20 per cent bump in prize money, all recipients of singles wildcards this year will receive a minimum of $106,000 (£80,000) – a major windfall for lower-ranked players.
