Serena Williams has accepted the final women’s singles wildcard for Wimbledon, confirming her return to Grand Slam competition at the age of 44.
The All England Club announced the decision on Sunday evening, nearly four years after the American last competed in singles at the 2022 US Open.
Williams departed that tournament following a third-round defeat to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic, which many believed marked her farewell to professional tennis.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion has lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish on seven occasions, most recently in 2016, making her the most successful women’s singles player in Wimbledon’s modern history.
Serena Williams will return to Wimbledon this summer
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Williams had already secured a place in the doubles draw alongside her elder sister Venus, 46, with organisers granting the siblings a wildcard earlier this month.
Her competitive comeback began at Queen’s Club, where she partnered British player Harriet Dart. The duo progressed to the quarter-finals before falling to the eventual champions.
That grass-court outing appeared to convince Williams to extend her return beyond doubles.
A statement from her team confirmed she has been putting in significant work on the practice courts and feels prepared to compete once more.
“She is excited to return to Wimbledon and give it her all,” representatives said.
Serena Williams has triumphed on seven occasions in both singles and doubles at Wimbledon | PA
Williams will become the oldest woman to feature in the Wimbledon singles competition during the Open Era when play commences.
Her 23 major singles titles represent the highest total achieved by any player in the Open Era, trailing only Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24.
The American has not claimed a singles victory at SW19 since 2019, when she finished runner-up to Simona Halep.
Speaking at Queen’s Club earlier this month, Williams offered perspective on her mindset: “I don’t need to win.
“I’ve won more than most people have in their whole lives. I don’t have anything to lose. Everything is just a gain.”
The draw ceremony is scheduled for Friday, 28 June, with the Championships beginning on Monday, 29 June.
Wimbledon is due to commence on Monday, June 29
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Williams could potentially face current stars who grew up watching her dominate the sport, including world number one Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina.
Bookmakers have installed the returning champion as a 50-1 outsider to claim an eighth title.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King expressed her enthusiasm on social media: “Serena Williams returning to Wimbledon singles is a gift to tennis. She continues to inspire us all.”
Williams spent 319 weeks atop the world rankings during her illustrious career.
