Saturday, September 26, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

Serena’s Wimbledon Return Resumes Her Bid for a 24th Slam

  • She hasn’t played in a competitive match since being injured at Wimbledon last year.
  • The 40-year-old will continue her quest to match Margaret Court’s Grand Slam record.
Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

The GOAT is returning to Wimbledon, site of some of her greatest triumphs — and where her tennis career was put on pause.

On Tuesday, Serena Williams received a wild-card spot from the All England Club, setting up her first competitive singles match since being forced to retire from the first round of last year’s Wimbledon with a leg injury.

The 40-year-old Williams — who had earlier hinted that she’ll continue her bid to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles and inch closer toward the $100 million mark for career earnings — will now compete for a top prize of $2.5 million from a record $50.4 million purse.

  • Williams’ $94.5M in career earnings tops the all–time WTA money list.
  • Her 23 GS titles include seven at Wimbledon, in addition to titles at the Australian Open (7), U.S. Open (6), and French Open (3).
  • But due to her layoff, the former World No. 1 has dropped to No. 1,208.

To prepare for Wimbledon (June 27-July 10), Williams will team up with World No. 4 Ons Jabeur in doubles for the LTA’s Rothesay International Eastbourne from June 18-25.

Although she’s coming off a year-long layoff, hasn’t reached the Wimbledon singles final since 2019, and hasn’t won the title since ’16, bookmakers are relatively bullish on her prospects.

Williams still has the sixth-best odds to take this year’s edition (+1800).

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Carlos Alcaraz Calls for End to Late-Night Finishes

Alcaraz’s US Open quarterfinal match with Ben Shelton ended after 3:30 a.m.

WTA Finals Moving to Charlotte in 2027 As U.S. Push Continues

The 2026 WTA Finals will be played at Indian Wells.

ABC Draws Record 3.2M Viewers for US Open Men’s Final

Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton to claim his second Grand Slam title.
Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 12, 2026 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka enters the court ahead of her final match against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Geoff Burke

Top Tennis Players Pause Public Battle With Grand Slams

It’s not clear which players will be part of the new council.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/25/26 – Trump Skips ‘GameDay,’ Sun Leave Connecticut, Juszczyk’s ‘Juice’ Fine

0:00

Featured Today

Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own
September 25, 2026

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Hot & Social/Mets
September 18, 2026

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
September 17, 2026

Fantasy Football Drafts Are Turning Into Full-Blown Vacations

Leagues are forgoing solo drafts and replacing them with in-person getaways.
First at FOS

Albert Pujols Says He Pursued MLB Ownership

The three-time MVP said his group was outbid for multiple franchises.
September 22, 2026

Why Kerri Walsh Jennings Picked a Side in the Volleyball War

The Olympian co-owns the expansion team NorCal Rumble.
September 24, 2026

Draymond Green on LeBron’s Polymarket Deal: ‘I Think It’s Great’

James announced a partnership with Polymarket earlier this month.
Sponsored

How Ryan Smith Is Building the Future of Sports in Utah

Utah Jazz and Mammoth owner talks from tech to team ownership.
September 21, 2026

Presidents Cup International Team Wants ‘Separation’ From PGA Tour

The U.S. leads the Presidents Cup 13-1-1 all-time.
Kylian Mbappe On
September 18, 2026

Mbappé Leaves Nike for On As Brand Launches Soccer Division

Thierry Henry joins as the company’s new director of football.
Jul 15, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Hart arrives on the red carpet before the 2026 ESPY Awards at Lincoln Center.
September 17, 2026

LeBron James and Kevin Hart Planning YouTube Golf Collab

Both celebrities recently launched golf content channels.
asset class
September 16, 2026

Ndamukong Suh Says He Almost Invested in the Seahawks

He also “looked at” the Portland Blazers and Thorns.