Osaka, Kerber, Wozniacki and Raducanu given wildcards for Wimbledon – and Marcus Willis is back!

Former champion Simona Halep did not request a wildcard because she is still recovering from a recent knee injury

Zuma / Panoramic

June 19, 2024

The first set of wildcards were released for Wimbledon on Wednesday, with four major champions top of the list.

Former winner Angelique Kerber, former US Open champion Emma Raducanu and two former world No 1s, Naomi Osaka and Caroline Wozniacki, will all receive direct entry to the main draw.

All four needed a wildcard into the event because their rankings were not high enough at the cut-off point six weeks before the event. Osaka, Wozniacki and Kerber are all returning after having their first child, while Raducanu is back after surgeries to both her wrists and one of her ankles 12 months ago.

Injured Halep did not ask for wildcard

British trio of Fran Jones, Lily Miyazaki and Heather Watson received the other wildcards into the main draw, while one place remains open.

That will not be going to former Wimbledon champion Simona Halep, though. The Romanian returned to the WTA Tour in March after her four-year ban – given after a failed drugs test and due to adverse athlete biological passport findings which indicated doping – were reduced to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Halep’s press agent confirmed on social media that Halep had not asked for a wildcard because she is not yet 100 percent fit after a recent knee injury.

Hi Simon, Simo did not request a wild card from Wimby as her knee is not ready to compete at 100 per cent yet
— Katie Spellman (@Spellman_Katie) June 19, 2024

The return of Marcus Willis

And Marcus Willis is back. Eight years after he won seven matches in pre-qualifying, qualifying and then round one of the main draw to earn a clash with Roger Federer on Centre Court, the 33-year-old will partner Jay Clarke in the men’s doubles.

Willis gave up professional tennis for several years but has worked hard to get back to the top level and is currently sitting at a career-high doubles ranking of 95.

Delighted to announce that myself and @JayClarkeNo1 have received a wildcard into @Wimbledon doubles. A huge thankyou to @Wimbledon for the opportunity and @the_LTA for the support.
Let’s play!#blessed #believe pic.twitter.com/UyxPVcfvjD
— Marcus Willis (@Willbomb90) June 19, 2024