Serena Williams is returning to professional tennis after nearly four years away, fueling speculation about a potential Wimbledon 2026 appearance as she builds momentum on the grass-court season. The 44-year-old 23-time Grand Slam champion accepted a wildcard to play doubles at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club starting June 8, with her last professional match coming at the 2022 US Open.
Quick Facts
- Williams is partnering with Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko in doubles at Queen’s Club
- She has added the Berlin Tennis Open (June 13-21) to her comeback schedule
- Wimbledon 2026 runs June 29 to July 12 at the All England Club
- Initial wild cards for Wimbledon are set to be unveiled during the Berlin tournament
Williams posted a comeback announcement video on social media dressed in white, a color closely associated with Wimbledon’s strict all-white dress code. Former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport suggested Williams’s strategic timing points toward Wimbledon, telling reporters that she would be surprised if the grass-court Grand Slam wasn’t her ultimate objective.
“I think it’s great,” Davenport said. “So many stories sometimes in our sport go negative. And I love that there’s an excitement about a player returning.” She noted that Williams appears in better physical condition than when she left the sport, adding that “her mindset has always been to not settle for mediocrity.”
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While no official confirmation exists for a Wimbledon entry, the timing of her return on grass courts just three weeks before the Championships has sparked widespread speculation among fans and analysts. Williams remains one Grand Slam singles title shy of Margaret Court’s all-time women’s record of 24.
Sources
- ESPN — Serena Williams’ comeback announcement and doubles partner confirmation
- Yahoo Sports / The Independent — Wimbledon speculation and Berlin Tennis Open addition
- LTA — Serena Williams’ Queen’s Club comeback details
- Official Wimbledon — Wimbledon 2026 dates (June 29 to July 12)
