At 44, with two children and four years away from competitive singles tennis, Serena Williams is set to walk onto Centre Court at Wimbledon to face a 21-year-old Australian qualifier in the first round. It is a moment that has drawn admiration from rivals and sparked debate about fairness, preparation, and what a tennis legend owes to the sport.
Serena Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion and seven-time Wimbledon winner, will play her first singles match since the 2022 US Open when she takes on Maya Joint on Tuesday. Williams accepted a wildcard into the main draw, having re-entered the International Tennis Integrity Agency's anti-doping testing pool late last year, which first fuelled rumours of her return. Novak Djokovic called her comeback “inspirational” and “epic”, noting he has seen her in the gym more often than during her prime. Andre Agassi told The Sun it is “a win for tennis”, while 2014 Wimbledon finalist Genie Bouchard said Williams could even win the tournament, but admitted that playing without a warm-up match is an “insane” decision that piles on pressure.
“Serena Williams returns to Wimbledon at age 44 after four years away, chasing a 24th Grand Slam.”
Williams's return is the latest chapter in a long history of tennis legends attempting to reclaim past glory. After becoming a mother for the first time in 2017, she reached four Grand Slam finals before stepping away from singles after the 2022 US Open. Now, at 44, she is chasing a record-tying 24th Grand Slam title. Some critics argue that awarding a wildcard to a player who has not competed for years comes at the expense of lower-ranked players grinding on the WTA Tour, but Bouchard insists the American “deserves her spot” and will not embarrass herself. Meanwhile, British No.1 Emma Raducanu is also managing injury concerns, wearing strapping on her lower right leg and cutting short a practice session before declaring she would “do everything” with her team to play.
For UK readers, Williams's comeback is a major storyline at a tournament that often dominates the summer sporting calendar. Wimbledon is one of the crown jewels of British sport, and the presence of a legend like Williams – even at 44 – draws global attention and boosts viewership. Her matches will be broadcast live, and her journey may inspire older or returning players. It also raises questions about how wildcards are allocated: should they reward past greatness or current form? The All England Club's decision to grant Williams an entry highlights the balance between sporting merit and commercial appeal.
Q: How long has Serena Williams been away from singles tennis? Williams has not played a singles match since the 2022 US Open, meaning she will step onto the court after a four-year absence from competitive singles play.
Q: Why did Serena Williams get a wildcard for Wimbledon? As a seven-time former champion, Williams was awarded a wildcard by the All England Club, which has discretion to invite former winners or other players of note into the main draw.
Q: What are the main doubts about her chances? Genie Bouchard pointed out that Williams has not played a warm-up event, which could lead to rust and extra pressure. At 44, she is also older than any current top-100 player, though Djokovic and Agassi believe her competitive spirit remains strong.
What happens next depends on Tuesday's first-round match against Maya Joint. If Williams wins, she could face increasingly tougher opponents. The tournament runs for two weeks, and her progress – or early exit – will dominate headlines. Emma Raducanu's fitness will also be closely watched as she attempts to play through her leg issue.