Serena Williams will make a return to singles at Wimbledon later this month after accepting a wildcard into the main draw, bringing her back to the tournament four years after her last appearance.
The 44-year-old has been awarded the final spot in the women’s singles draw following the withdrawal of another player.
Williams returns to the competition she has won seven times, in a move that marks a significant step in her comeback to professional tennis.
She has played two doubles matches since returning to competitive action earlier this month after a four-year absence from the sport.
Her comeback has been gradual, with appearances in doubles used as preparation for a possible return to singles.
ALSO READ: Wimbledon grants Williams sisters doubles wildcard
She remains one Grand Slam singles title away from Margaret Court’s record of 24 majors, having won 73 singles titles and spent 319 weeks as world number one.
She had already received a wildcard to compete in the Wimbledon doubles alongside her sister Venus Williams.
When asked earlier this month about the possibility of a singles return at SW19, she said: “You think I’m ready for singles? I need to get to work.”
Williams has not won a singles match at Wimbledon since 2019, when she lost in the final to Romania’s Simona Halep.
Her last appearance at the tournament came during a difficult spell of late-career campaigns, including injury setbacks and early exits.
She played what was widely viewed as her final professional match at the 2022 US Open before “evolving away” from tennis, although she never formally announced retirement.
However, she continued to leave the door open for a return and recently resumed training and competitive action in doubles.
Williams has won 14 Wimbledon titles across singles and doubles, including seven singles crowns and six women’s doubles titles with Venus, along with a mixed doubles victory.
She also completed a career “Golden Slam”, winning all four Grand Slam titles and Olympic gold in both singles and doubles.
Her Wimbledon success includes victories in 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016, making her one of the tournament’s most successful players.
She will discover her first-round opponent when the Wimbledon draw takes place, with the tournament set to begin on Monday, 29 June.
