American ace Serena Williams confirms Wimbledon comeback after 12-month injury; gets a singles wild card entry to this year's Grand Slam.
Amerian ace Serena Williams on Tuesday announced that she is set to make her comeback at Wimbledon 2022, a year after her last match in any competition.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion, who suffered an injury during the first-round match at the All England Club 12 months ago, posted a photograph on Instagram showing off her white trainers on the grass. It was captioned, "SW and SW19. It's a date. 2022. See you there. Let's Go."
"SW" are her initials, of course, and "SW19" is the postal code for Wimbledon.
The stage awaits.
Our 7-time champion will return to Wimbledon as a wild card this summer for her 21st appearance pic.twitter.com/7ddMAv7mOq
The 40-year-old also tagged Eastbourne in her post, indicating she could potentially play in next week's grasscourt tournament on England's south coast.
Also read: Queen's Club Championships 2022: Andy Murray pulls out; setback ahead of Wimbledon
Serena Williams, now ranked a lowly 1,208th in the world, is eyeing a singles return at this year's Wimbledon, which starts on June 27. Her name has been included in the tournament's wild card announcements.
It's OFFICIAL.
Serena Williams is a Wild Card at the 2022 Wimbledon. pic.twitter.com/TM0GaXhTcO
The American legend won the last of her seven Wimbledon singles titles in 2016 but reached the final in 2018 and 2019 after returning from having a baby. In 2021, Serena Williams lost her footing on the slick grass, and then her right leg buckled, leading to just the second mid-match retirement at any Grand Slam tournament of her career and the first since 1998.
Also read: Wimbledon announces record GBP 40.35 million as prize money
Tennis enthusiasts took to Twitter to express their joy over this news, with some even hoping that if Serena Williams features in the singles draw, she could win her 24th Grand Slam title well. Here's a look at some of the reactions:
Serena Williams confirms she is coming back on tour after one year to play Wimbledon. Fantastic news for her fans and tennis in general. pic.twitter.com/1UvS1LZ48l
— José Morgado (@josemorgado)Serena Williams has been officially granted a wildcard into women's singles draw at Wimbledon. The comeback is on.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol)The Serena Williams Comeback Tour is officially on pic.twitter.com/zDusAYN0OP
— David Kane (@DKTNNS)Serena Williams is playing Wimbledon. At 40 years old and a mother. And holder of the most grand slam titles won in the open era………This audacious black woman tennis champion is still in the game! pic.twitter.com/pE9zQXsOoh
— cheryl roberts (@cherylroberts00)Wimbledon makes it official - Serena Williams has a wildcard 🌱
🤯🤯🤯
Honestly I'm *SO* excited for Serena. For much of the last year I thought we'd never see her play again. But walking out on Centre Court (cough, cough schedulers) during its Centennial celebration? Iconic
PRAYER CIRCLE FOR SERENA WILLIAMS GRASS SEASON LETS GO pic.twitter.com/U4mGGE9L4Z
— spillomi (@Spllomi)The LTA has announced that Serena Williams has received a wildcard into doubles at the Rothesay International Eastbourne and will pair with Ons Jabeur.
The WTA 500 in Eastbourne begins next week.
"Williams & Jabeur likely not to play their 1st match before Tuesday."
Serena Williams just announced that she plans to make her return to competitive tennis for the first time in a year and play at Wimbledon later this month 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UIFzZdTrXJ
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano)I am SO happy to hear is coming back!!! Never want to see a great champion limp off a court in tears and never return!!!! Let’s go SW!!!!
— Rennae Stubbs OLY (@rennaestubbs)2️⃣3️⃣-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams is set to make her comeback at this year's event 💪
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV)