With a low-key press release at 8:23pm on a Sunday evening, Serena Williams was officially back at Wimbledon. The email, headed only "further wildcards announced for The Championships," confirmed that the 44-year-old had received a second wildcard—this time for the singles draw, alongside her previously announced doubles wildcard with sister Venus.
Williams has not won a singles match at Wimbledon since 2019, and her last singles match overall was a defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open. She never formally retired, stating only that she was "evolving away" from tennis. But her return to the drug testing pool late last year signaled a potential comeback.
Return to Competitive Play
Williams made her competitive return at Queen's earlier this month, partnering Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko. They won their first match before Mboko suffered a knee injury. Mboko praised Williams's form: "She's hitting great. She has such great ball striking. It's a God-given gift she has. She's ready to go. She's hitting big and she's really fit."
Williams then played in Berlin with Karolina Muchova, losing in the first round. She has been training at Wimbledon since, but the true test will come next week.
No Pressure, Just Enjoyment
Williams insists expectations are not weighing on her. "I've had enough pressure," she said. "It's really about my kids getting to see me play." She added, "I don't need to win. I've won more than most people have in their whole lives. That is not important to me. I don't have anything to prove, I don't have anything to lose and everything is just to gain."
Doubles Prospects
Williams's doubles partnership with Venus is well-established, giving them an advantage over last-minute pairings. Her serve at Queen's topped 120mph, and her groundstrokes looked powerful. However, singles will be a sterner test, with her movement and stamina under scrutiny.
Challenges Ahead
At 44, Williams is the oldest player in the draw by six years. As an unseeded player, she could face Alex Eala in the second round and then defending champion Iga Swiatek. Swiatek, nearly 20 years younger, will not fear Williams, and the gap in speed and intensity may prove too much.
Nonetheless, Williams's presence brings stardust to Wimbledon, especially with Carlos Alcaraz out injured. Tournament organisers are thrilled, and every swing of her racket will draw huge interest. For Williams, it is the ultimate free hit.
