LONDON - A decade after her seventh Wimbledon title, Serena Williams is back. The 23-time Grand Slam champion, 44, received a wildcard for next week's tournament, her first singles action since the 2022 U.S. Open.
Her return guarantees a major spotlight. Williams has been training with coach Rennae Stubbs and showed her powerful serve in a recent doubles match.
The women's draw is already considered wide-open. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka aims to rebound from a French Open collapse. Iga Swiatek seeks back-to-back titles. Teenager Mirra Andreeva arrives fresh off her French Open victory, while Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina also contend.
Williams, who last won Wimbledon in 2016, could become the oldest woman to win a singles match at the tournament since Martina Navratilova in 2004.
Former champions note the challenge of starting on grass, but believe Williams only returned because she believes she can compete. The last six Grand Slams have had six different champions, highlighting the field's depth. If top seed Sabalenka faces an early-serving Williams, she will face a formidable challenge with no margin for error.