Serena may be seeded for Wimbledon

Serena Williams could the made top seed at Wimbledon – amid talk she is being penalised for having a baby.

Since returning to tennis earlier this year after giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia last September, Williams has enjoyed a protected ranking of No 1 that guarantees her entry into tournaments.

But the current world No 449 does NOT have a protected seeding, which leaves her in danger of facing a top player in the first round of events, including Wimbledon.

Now All England Club chiefs have confirmed that they could use a special section in their rules to give Williams a seeding.

An AELTC spokesperson said: “The seeding order follows the WTA ranking list, except where in the opinion of the committee, a change is necessary to produce a balanced draw.

“Therefore it is reasonable to state that the committee would have the discretion to seed a player for The Championships, regardless of their WTA ranking.”

Williams has argued in favour of protected seedings for women players returning from pregnancy.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion told the New York Times: “I think it’s more of a protection for women to have a life.

“You shouldn’t have to wait to have a baby until you retire. If you want to have a baby and take a few months off or a year off and then come back, you shouldn’t have to be penalized for that. Pregnancy is not an injury.”

All England Club chairman Philip Brook said: “It’s totally different from an injury. We have empathy and sympathy with the point being made.”