A historic return to the grass
Serena Williams, widely considered one of the greatest tennis players in history, will make her return to Grand Slam singles competition at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships. The tournament confirmed on June 21 that the 44-year-old has been granted a wild card entry, marking her first appearance in a major singles draw since the 2022 U.S. Open.
Williams, who has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles and seven Wimbledon singles championships, officially began her comeback earlier this month at the Queen’s Club Championship. While her initial doubles partnership with Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko was cut short by an injury to Mboko, Williams has continued to prepare for the grass-court season, including a recent appearance at the Berlin Open.
Reuniting with Venus
Beyond her singles campaign, Williams is set to reunite with her sister, Venus Williams, for the Wimbledon women’s doubles. The duo shares a storied history at the All England Club, having secured six Wimbledon doubles titles together. Their combined career includes 12 singles championships at the venue and numerous Olympic gold medals.
Williams’ return to the professional tour follows her reentry into the anti-doping testing pool in late 2025. Over the last several months, she has maintained a rigorous training schedule, addressing previous physical challenges and focusing on her fitness. Her comeback comes as she looks to compete at the highest level once again, nearly four years after she opted to “evolve away” from the sport to focus on her family and business ventures.
The road ahead
As Williams prepares for the start of the tournament on June 29, the tennis world is watching closely to see how she will fare against a new generation of talent. Without a protected ranking, Williams will rely on tournament wild cards, a process that reflects both her legendary status and the logistical reality of her return. Despite the long layoff, her recent return to the court has demonstrated her enduring commitment to the sport that defined her professional career.