Serena Williams returns to Wimbledon after four-year absence

Serena Williams is back at Wimbledon for the first time since 2021, set to play her opening singles match on Centre Court on Tuesday. The 44-year-old American, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, last played singles at the tournament in 2022, losing in the first round to Harmony Tan.

Since then, Williams has undergone significant life changes: she welcomed a second daughter, co-founded a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team, and danced at the Super Bowl. Now, she says returning to Wimbledon has been a smooth transition, calling it an 'easy retransition' and noting that 'change is good.'

What happened

Williams, who turns 45 in September, will face 20-year-old Maya Joint in the third match on Centre Court. It will be 1,396 days since her last singles match at the tournament. She received a wildcard entry, which she described as a rare opportunity that she felt compelled to accept.

• Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, seven at Wimbledon.
• She last played Wimbledon singles in 2021, losing to Harmony Tan.
• Williams co-founded Angel City FC of the NWSL in 2022.
• She has two daughters: Olympia (born 2017) and Adira (born 2023).

Why it matters

Williams' return adds star power to the tournament. She and her sister Venus have dominated Wimbledon for two decades, combining for 12 singles titles and six women's doubles titles. Serena's presence, even at 44, draws attention and raises questions about how far she can go.

Williams acknowledged the challenge, saying success for her is simply walking onto the court and enjoying herself. She aims to stick to her game plan and remain disciplined.

What's next

Williams' match against Joint is scheduled for Tuesday. If she wins, she will advance to the second round, where she could face a tougher opponent. She is also expected to play doubles with her sister Venus later in the tournament.