Serena Williams will return to singles play at Wimbledon 2026 following a wild card entry announced by the tournament on Sunday. Williams, who holds 23 Grand Slam singles titles, last participated in singles at the 2022 U.S. Open, concluding that chapter with a three-set defeat against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanović.
After making her tennis comeback through doubles matches and securing a wild card in the Wimbledon doubles event alongside her sister Venus, Serena, now 44, will revisit her dominant singles form at the Grand Slam she has claimed seven times.
During press briefings at preparatory events in London and Berlin, Williams had been philosophical and equivocal about her singles prospects. At Queen’s, where she secured a win with Canada’s Victoria Mboko, Williams expressed intentions to intensify her training, stating, “I feel like I’m probably going to train a little bit more. I want to play singles and we’ll see if I get there.”
At the Berlin Tennis Open, post a defeat partnered with Karolína Muchová, Williams remained discreet regarding a singles wild card for Wimbledon. The initial release of wild cards included her doubles entry with Venus but left one slot open for singles. That spot is now confirmed for Serena.
Williams never entirely closed the door on her tennis return, opting for “evolving away” from the sport rather than retiring almost four years ago. Her children, now 8 and 3, have been one motivation for her potential return, allowing them to see her in action.
Having completed six months in the anti-doping testing pool, Williams became eligible for events in February. Despite earlier social media denials, speculation about her comeback persisted. In a January “Today” interview, Williams humorously deflected definitive answers about her future.
Her representatives have consistently refrained from commenting on plans at Queen’s or Wimbledon. Her illustrious career boasts 23 singles Grand Slam titles, 14 in women’s doubles, two in mixed doubles, and 73 singles titles with nearly $95 million in prize earnings.
Williams significantly influenced tennis dynamics, affecting who plays, views, and engages with the sport. Her upcoming singles play poses fresh challenges as she encounters stars like Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina.
Serena’s Mindset and Challenges
In a Queen’s news conference, Williams expressed her current aims, “I don’t need to win. I’ve won more than most people have in their whole lives. I don’t have anything to lose. Everything is just a gain.”
Analysis from Senior Tennis Writer, Charlie Eccleshare
Eccleshare indicates that Williams’ doubles entry with Venus was significant, but the singles wild card marks an even greater milestone. Singles tennis, from a physical standpoint, presents unique challenges compared to doubles.
Williams’ serve remains a considerable asset, especially on grass, but facing players nearly half her age will be demanding. Her aura may affect opponents, as seen when Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez felt the pressure during their Queen’s match.
The prospect of facing Williams on Centre Court in singles is intimidating and unprecedented. Comparisons have been drawn with Martina Navratilova’s 2004 Wimbledon return at age 47, yet in today’s media landscape, the anticipation is far greater.
Victory at Wimbledon would be remarkably challenging. Expectations of miraculous feats are present, but Williams herself highlighted returning to play for personal fulfillment and family.
The duration of Williams’ mindset remains uncertain, contingent on match outcomes. Her Wimbledon endeavor in both singles and doubles promises to deliver an extraordinary tennis experience.