Serena Williams, the seven-time Wimbledon singles champion, has returned to the All England Club for the first time since 2022, accepting a wildcard into the women's singles draw. The 44-year-old American, who has won 14 Wimbledon titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, will face Australia's Maya Joint on Centre Court on Tuesday afternoon. Williams announced her decision just one day before the qualifying draw, on Sunday 21 June, after weeks of uncertainty.
Last-Minute Decision to Compete
Williams revealed she had until Monday to decide whether to take the wildcard, which was offered by Wimbledon organizers. 'I just wasn't sure up until then. Honestly, I'm still not even sure, but we'll see,' she said in her pre-tournament press conference. 'It's not every day Wimbledon holds a wildcard for someone. I can name probably a handful of people. I happened to be one of those people. I thought: I should really take this opportunity. Who knows if I'll ever make it here again? This could be it.'
Her return marks her first singles match since 'evolving away' from competitive play after the 2022 US Open. She had already committed to playing doubles at 44, but the singles challenge required more preparation. Williams trained extensively, practicing with more players than ever before, according to her own account.
Facing a Younger Opponent
Williams, who turned 44 in September, will face 20-year-old Maya Joint, nearly 25 years her junior. Joint, a grass-court champion at Eastbourne last year, has struggled recently, losing 13 of her past 14 matches. Despite the age gap, Williams respects her opponent's talent. 'No one knows how my game may or may not have evolved, what to expect,' Williams said.
The draw could have pitted Williams against top seeds like Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina, but she received a manageable first-round match. Williams acknowledged the respect she commands: 'It's like the big four coming back. I mean, Novak [Djokovic] is still here, but no one would want to play them in their first round.'
Enjoying the Moment
Williams is keeping expectations low, focusing on enjoyment rather than chasing her 24th Grand Slam title. 'My expectations are definitely different for the first time in my career,' she said. 'My feelings are just – not that I never enjoyed it before – but I feel like I'm really going to enjoy being out there.'
During her time away, Williams watched tennis and followed younger players like Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Mirra Andreeva. Andreeva, 17, expressed nervousness about potentially facing Williams, which Williams took as a compliment. 'It's an immense amount of respect,' she said.
Effort and Admiration from Peers
Novak Djokovic noted Williams's dedication: 'I see her in the gym more than I have, I think, seen her when she was at her prime. It tells me that she really wants this to work out the best way possible. It's admirable, honestly, the effort she's putting in.'
Williams admitted she never expected to return to press conferences or competition. 'When I evolved [from tennis], I had never thought I'd come back,' she said. 'All the above.' Her comeback remains uncertain, but she is committed to seeing how it unfolds.
