Serena Williams receives Wimbledon singles wildcard for comeback at 44

Tennis icon Serena Williams is set to make her singles return at Wimbledon, having been granted the final wildcard entry by the tournament organizers. The 44-year-old American, a seven-time Wimbledon singles champion, last competed in a singles match at the 2022 U.S. Open.

Williams' appearance at the All England Club marks her return to singles play after a significant break. She had previously returned to the tour for doubles matches earlier this season, including at the Queen's Club championships and in Berlin. The Wimbledon organizers announced her wildcard entry with the emphatic statement, "This is not a drill."

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Oh my God, there is still one?

Her singles comeback is expected to be a major storyline for the prestigious grass-court tournament, which begins on June 29. Williams, widely regarded as one of the greatest female players of all time, had hinted at evolving away from tennis after the 2022 U.S. Open, though she never officially announced her retirement.

Wildcards are typically awarded to players who may not meet the ranking criteria for automatic entry, often going to local players, those with distinguished careers, or athletes returning from injury. Williams first competed at Wimbledon in 1998 and secured her first singles title there in 2002, defeating her sister Venus in the final. She went on to win six more singles titles at the event.

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This is not a drill