Serena Williams will step onto the grass at Wimbledon on Tuesday to play her first singles match in nearly four years, facing Australia's Maya Joint in the first round. The 44-year-old 23-time Grand Slam champion accepted a wild-card entry to the All England Club after initially doubting the decision, later telling media she had to convince herself the opportunity was worth pursuing.
Why did Williams hesitate to accept the wild card?
Williams had to talk herself into accepting Wimbledon's final wild-card slot, according to ESPN. She had already committed to playing doubles with her sister Venus and questioned whether returning to singles made sense. At a press conference on Sunday, Williams described her internal dialogue: "I was like, 'What's wrong with me, Serena? What are you thinking? Are you nuts?'" She ultimately decided the chance to compete at the sport's highest level again was too valuable to pass up, telling media that "people live to be an athlete" and she had "this great opportunity to showcase what I do."
What has Williams been doing since 2022?
Williams' last competitive singles match came at the 2022 US Open, where she lost to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round. Her comeback has been methodical: she rejoined the professional drug-testing pool and met the mandatory six-month waiting period before competing again. She played doubles matches at the HSBC Championships in London and the Berlin Tennis Open earlier this month, winning one and losing one, before arriving at Wimbledon.
How is Williams approaching expectations?
The American is taking a realistic approach to her return, telling media her expectations are "definitely different for the first time in my career." According to Field Level Media, Williams said she expects to feel nervous but plans to "dust them off and then move on," noting that nerves have always reflected her passion for the sport. Coach Rennae Stubbs told ESPN that the team's priority is ensuring Williams enjoys the process, not proving anything to the tour.
What could come next?
If Williams defeats Joint, she could face No. 29 seed Alexandra Eala of the Philippines in the second round. Williams will also play doubles with Venus, the siblings having won six Wimbledon doubles titles together. Roland-Garros champion Mirra Andreeva indicated relief at avoiding Williams in the first round, according to BeIN Sports.
Sources
- BeIN Sports: 'Are you nuts?' – Williams admits doubts over Wimbledon return. Published 2026-06-28.
- ESPN: Inside Serena Williams' return to tennis. D'Arcy Maine, published 2026-06-28.
- Field Level Media: Serena Williams to adjust expectations for Wimbledon return. Published 2026-06-28.
- The Times Of India: Serena Williams returns to Wimbledon after four years; Novak Djokovic calls comeback 'epic'. Published 2026-06-28.
Reported from public sources.