Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion, is set for a dramatic return to Grand Slam singles at Wimbledon, where she will face Australia's Maya Joint in the first round. The 44-year-old tennis icon secured the final wild card for the women's singles draw, marking her first singles appearance in nearly four years after what was widely believed to be her farewell at the US Open. She recently made a comeback in doubles.
British Hopes and Challenges
British hopeful Emma Raducanu is set to open her campaign against Croatia's Antonia Ruzic, though her fitness remains a significant concern. The 30th seed, who could meet Aryna Sabalenka in a third-round repeat, missed her scheduled practice on Thursday, following reports of her being seen in a protective boot the previous evening. Her team confirmed she is managing a niggle, with further worries arising after she was absent from Friday's practice schedule. Raducanu is due to address the media on Saturday.
Jack Draper faces a blockbuster opener against sixth seed Taylor Fritz, who reached the semi-finals in 2025. Draper has shown strong form on his return from his latest injury troubles in Eastbourne this week, but his hopes of surpassing the second round for the first time now look slim.
Men's Draw Highlights
Defending men's champion Jannik Sinner takes on Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic first up and is in the same half as Novak Djokovic, who meets China's Wu Yibing. Cameron Norrie is Britain's only seed in the men's draw at 26th and he faces American qualifier Michael Zheng, with third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime a potential third-round opponent.
It was generally a tough draw for the home players, with five others meeting seeds. Oliver Tarvet faced Carlos Alcaraz on Centre Court last year and his reward for coming through qualifying again is a clash with 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech, while fellow qualifier Billy Harris meets 19th seed Karen Khachanov. Toby Samuel, who plays in the semi-finals at Eastbourne later on Friday, has drawn 15th seed and French Open semi-finalist Jakub Mensik, and fellow debutant Felix Gill meets rising Spanish star Rafael Jodar, the 23rd seed. Jack Pinnington Jones, meanwhile, plays American 28th seed Brandon Nakashima.
Among the other home hopefuls, Arthur Fery meets Damir Dzumhur, Jan Choinski faces Vit Kopriva, Jacob Fearnley takes on Alex Michelsen, Harry Wendelken plays Valentin Royer and Max Basing opens against fellow qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki.
Other Notable Matches
French Open champion Alexander Zverev faces a potentially tricky opener against young Belgian Alexander Blockx, while two standout draws were Stan Wawrinka, in his final Wimbledon, playing Matteo Berrettini and Daniil Medvedev taking on another former finalist in Marin Cilic.
Women's Draw Challenges
In the women's draw, both Sabalenka and reigning champion Iga Swiatek, neither of whom are in good form, have been handed tough paths. As well as Raducanu and former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in her section, Sabalenka could meet Naomi Osaka in the fourth round and Roland Garros winner Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals. Swiatek, meanwhile, opens against American Taylor Townsend, could play former finalist Karolina Pliskova in the second round and Williams or rising Filipino star Alexandra Eala in round three.
Among the British players, Katie Boulter plays qualifier Tyra Caterina Grant while 17-year-old Hannah Klugman has an eye-catching first match against former champion Barbora Krejcikova. Another 17-year-old, Mika Stojsavljevic, takes on 11th seed and last year's semi-finalist Belinda Bencic, with Harriet Dart facing Ostapenko for the right potentially to meet Raducanu. Fran Jones plays France's Diane Parry and wild cards Mimi Xu, Katie Swan and Alicia Dudeney were drawn against Daria Kasatkina, Irina-Camelia Begu and Alycia Parks, respectively.
