Serena Williams will make a singles return at Wimbledon later this month, after the tournament awarded her a wildcard for the ladies’ singles draw. The confirmation ends speculation that had been building since the All England Club released its initial wildcard roster on Tuesday with several slots — including men’s and women’s singles — left unfilled.
Williams, 44, had already secured her place in the women’s doubles competition alongside sister Venus Williams through a separate wildcard allocation. However, whether she would also feature in singles remained uncertain as the remaining wildcard positions were gradually announced.
On Sunday night, the official Wimbledon Instagram account confirmed the decision. Williams herself responded by sharing a graphic on her Instagram story depicting her in an all-white outfit at SW19, accompanied by the text: “Serena returns, ladies’ singles.”
The announcement marks a significant moment in the sport. Williams last played professional tennis at the 2022 US Open, where she was eliminated in the third round by Ajla Tomljanovic. She subsequently announced she was “evolving away” from tennis to focus on family and business interests, a statement widely interpreted as retirement. Her return to competitive play comes approximately four years after that exit.
Her reintroduction to the sport began in doubles just weeks prior, when she played two matches alongside Venus — providing an early indication that a more expansive competitive return could be forthcoming. Wimbledon’s decision to extend a singles wildcard has now made that possibility a confirmed reality.
Williams holds seven Wimbledon singles titles, with her most recent coming in 2016. Her overall Grand Slam singles tally stands at 23, a record in the Open Era. She has not won a major since the 2017 Australian Open, which she claimed while pregnant with her first child.
The wildcard allocation drew considerable attention from tennis fans following Sunday’s announcement. Wimbledon has historically reserved wildcard entries for players with significant connections to the tournament or those returning from injury, with Williams qualifying on both counts given her standing in the sport and her extended absence from the tour.
Her ranking will not reflect her historical standing, having been outside the WTA top 1,000 during her time away from competitive play. A wildcard bypass of the qualifying process was therefore required for her entry into both events.
The ladies’ singles draw at Wimbledon 2025 features world number one Aryna Sabalenka and defending champion Barbora Krejčíková among the leading contenders. Williams’ return introduces a storyline that extends beyond the competitive bracket, given her status as one of the most decorated players in the history of the sport.
Full draw details and Williams’ first-round opponent are expected to be confirmed ahead of the tournament’s opening week.
