Confirmed: Serena Williams returns, takes Wimbledon wildcard

Serena Williams, the player with more Grand Slam singles titles than any other male or female in the Open Era, is back.

The 40-year-old sparked a frenzy on social media on Tuesday when she posted a photo of herself on Instagram, wearing grass-court shoes on a grass court, saying: “SW and SW19. It’s a date. 2022 See you there. Let’s Go #renasarmy“.

And shortly after, Wimbledon released its initial list of wildcards, with the seven-time champion and 23-time Grand Slam champion confirmed as an entrant into the women’s singles.

Williams will warm up for Wimbledon by playing in the Eastbourne event, starting on Monday, but in doubles only, partnering world No 4 Ons Jabeur of Tunisia.

Serena : “A surface that has been so good to me”

“I am excited to return to the Rothesay International Eastbourne in England and to be back on the grass – a surface that has been so good to me throughout my career,” Williams said in a press release.

“Eastbourne has a unique charm that you don’t see anywhere else on Tour and I’m looking forward to playing in front of the fans again.”

The American has not played since last year’s Wimbledon, where she had to retire early in her first-round match due to a leg injury.

It will also be the first time since Wimbledon 2012 that Williams will not be accompanied by Patrick Mouratoglou, the Frenchman who is Simona Halep’s coach since April.

But it seems she may well be accompanied by Eric Hechtman, the coach of her sister, Venus Williams.

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