Serena Williams is set to play her first professional singles match in nearly four years on Tuesday at Wimbledon's Centre Court, facing 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint in the first round. The 44-year-old American, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, has accepted a wild card for both singles and doubles competition at the grass-court Grand Slam, with her older sister Venus as her doubles partner.
Williams last played a Wimbledon singles match in June 2022, when she lost to Harmony Tan in the opening round. Her return to competitive singles follows a doubles appearance earlier this month at Queen's Club in London, where she partnered with Victoria Mboko to defeat Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe.
Why the comeback matters
Williams' presence has transformed the atmosphere at the All England Club despite the absence of other star power. Two-time men's champion Carlos Alcaraz and British favourite Emma Raducanu both withdrew with injuries, yet Williams' return has become the tournament's main draw on opening weekend. Former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, watching Williams practise before the match, told The Associated Press that "it's always good to have the GOAT back" and praised her as "fun to watch, not only as a friend but also as a tennis fan."
What to expect
Joint, who turned professional in 2021, expressed surprise and excitement at the matchup in a video posted by Tennis Australia. "I never thought I'd get to play against her," Joint said. "She stopped playing when I kinda got on tour." According to Sports Illustrated's Jon Wertheim, while an eighth Wimbledon title for Williams is unlikely, she has a strong chance of winning the first-round encounter. Wertheim also noted that "her aura will almost matter as much as everything else."
Williams' match is scheduled as the third match on Centre Court, estimated to begin around 12 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The tournament runs through 12 July, with defending women's champion Iga Świątek, No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, and American Jessica Pegula among the leading contenders in the women's draw.
Sources
- CTV News: 'Good to have the GOAT back': Serena Williams to make singles return on Day 2 at Wimbledon. Published 2026-06-30.
- NPR: What to expect from Wimbledon's early rounds and Serena Williams' return. Published 2026-06-30.
- BBC Sport: Wimbledon 2026: Serena Williams on Maya Joint match and return to tennis. Published 2026-06-30.
- ABC News: Everything to know about Serena Williams' Wimbledon singles tennis match. Published 2026-06-30.
Reported from public sources.