Serena Williams returns to Wimbledon after four‑year hiatus

Serena Williams, the 44‑year‑old American who has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles and seven Wimbledon singles crowns, will compete at the All England Club for the first time since the 2022 U.S. Open. She received a wildcard for both the singles and doubles draws and will partner sister Venus in doubles. In the opening round she faces 20‑year‑old Australian Maya Joint, ranked 53 in the world.

Williams’ comeback has generated extensive media attention. Novak Djokovic, who is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, praised her preparation, saying he sees her training harder than ever and that her return is “inspirational” and “epic.” He highlighted her dedication after motherhood, noting that she is back to give fans a pleasure as well as to fulfil her own goals. Other players, including Ben Shelton and Mirra Andreeva, echoed the sentiment that her presence adds a historic storyline to Wimbledon.

Williams explained that family motivates her, mentioning her eight‑year‑old daughter Olympia and two‑year‑old Adira, and was spotted in London with her daughter at the Crystal Maze attraction before the tournament. Her return adds a major narrative to a Wimbledon field that also features world‑number‑one Aryna Sabalenka, defending champion Iga Świątek and other top contenders.