Wild Card Puts Serena Williams in Wimbledon Singles

Serena Williams isn't finished with solo Wimbledon just yet. The 44-year-old all-time tennis great accepted a wild card into the women's singles draw on Sunday, setting up a surprise return to the tournament where she's claimed seven titles, BBC Sport reports. Tournament organizers said she was awarded the final available wild card slot, filling a vacancy that opened after the initial list was announced. Williams, who recently ended a four-year layoff, has so far played only doubles—two matches including a planned appearance with her sister Venus, for which she already had a wild card.

Wimbledon posted the news on X, per the Guardian, announcing: "This is not a drill. @serenawilliams will compete in the 2026 ladies' singles at #Wimbledon as a wild card." Asked earlier this month if singles at Wimbledon was on her mind, she responded: "You think I'm ready for singles? I need to get to work." She has not won a singles match at the All England Club since reaching the 2019 final, where she lost to Simona Halep. A 23-time major champion and a past world No. 1 for 319 weeks, Williams remains one Grand Slam title shy of Margaret Court's record 24. She'll learn her first-round opponent in Friday's draw, with play starting June 29.