Wimbledon announced on June 21 that Serena Williams will compete in the ladies singles draw at the 2026 tournament as a wild card.
The 44 year old American has not played a singles match since losing in the third round of the 2022 U.S. Open. Williams won the Wimbledon singles title seven times, most recently in 2016. She is also a 23 time Grand Slam singles champion overall.
Tournament organizers left the final women’s singles wild card spot open while Williams considered her options. She accepted the entry. The All England Club, which runs Wimbledon, posted the news on social media.
Williams will also play in the doubles event with her sister Venus Williams. The sisters received a doubles wild card earlier in June. This marks their first Wimbledon doubles appearance together since 2016.
Wimbledon begins on June 29. The main draw ceremony is set for June 26, when Williams’s first round opponent will be determined.
In recent weeks, Williams has returned to competition in doubles on grass courts. She played at the Queen’s Club event and in Berlin.