Serena Williams has been awarded a singles wildcard entry to play at Wimbledon this month.
The 44-year-old came out of a years-long retirement this week to play at Queen’s, partnering Victoria Mboko in the doubles bracket. The pair won their first match before being forced to withdraw after an injury to Mboko.
There had been widespread speculation as to whether Williams would look to continue her renaissance at Wimbledon, which only intensified when it was confirmed on Tuesday that one women’s wildcard spot was yet to be assigned.
And it has now been confirmed that Williams was the player to be named later, as she returns to the competition she has already won seven times, most recently in 2016.
She had already been handed a doubles wildcard to compete alongside her sister, Venus, reuniting a pairing which has won three Olympic gold medals. The all-English duo Katie Boulter and Heather Watson will join them as wildcard entries.
Williams’ first round opponents in both the singles and doubles brackets will be confirmed at the draw on Friday before the tournament kicks off on Monday, June 29.