Serena Williams accepts Wimbledon wild card, confesses she is still not sure she should play singles
The 23-time Grand Slam champion received a wild card for singles at Wimbledon, ending a four-year absence, but admitted she hesitated until the last moment. Her first-round match against Maya Joint is set for Tuesday.
A reluctant return
Serena Williams will walk onto the Wimbledon grass for a singles match for the first time since 2021 after accepting a wild card from tournament organisers. The 44-year-old American, who last played a major at the 2022 US Open, had left her future open and never officially retired. At a press conference on Sunday, she told reporters she only decided on the day of the deadline whether to accept the singles invitation.
I had to decide by Monday whether to accept the wild card. I decided on Sunday. Until then, I wasn't sure. Honestly, I'm still not sure if I should.
She added that the realisation that not everyone gets a Wimbledon wild card pushed her to say yes. Williams, a seven-time singles champion at the Championships, returns as a mother of two and will also play doubles alongside her older sister Venus.
Anti-doping frustrations
Williams was reinstated onto the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) anti-doping list in December 2025, a precondition for competition. She did not hide her irritation with the testing regime, calling it exhausting and disruptive.
It's exhausting. They changed the rules, I didn't know some of them. Apparently if you miss a test outside your window it's still counted as missed. I think this way I can't even pick up my children from school. I hate it.
She acknowledged that testing is necessary but argued the current regulations are unreasonable for someone juggling business, a fund, frequent travel and family life. The bureaucratic burden was the main reason she hesitated to return.
Warm-up on grass
Rumours of a comeback intensified in May when Victoria Mboko revealed she might partner Williams in a grass-court event. The two won their first match at Queen's Club before the Canadian withdrew due to injury. Williams then played doubles with Karolina Muchova in Berlin. Shortly afterward, Wimbledon organisers announced the Williams sisters had been granted a wild card into the doubles draw.
- Reinstated onto ITIA anti-doping list, clearing a key hurdle for competition
- Plays doubles with Victoria Mboko at Queen's Club; win followed by Mboko's withdrawal
- Doubles with Karolina Muchova in Berlin; Wimbledon announces wild card for Williams sisters in doubles
- Accepts wild card for singles, admitting she is still not sure she should play
- First-round singles match against Maya Joint of Australia
The tour reacts
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka welcomed the return, telling reporters that Williams is a legend and her actions are inspiring. Former German star Boris Becker echoed the sentiment, saying the American's presence would boost television ratings and that tennis needs such attractions.
Serena is simply a true superstar. It's thanks to people like her that our sport keeps thriving. Tennis needs stars and attractions like this.
Williams faces 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint, ranked No.87, in the first round. The American said her only aim now is to enjoy the match.
