Serena Williams will compete in singles at Wimbledon later this month. The American icon received a wildcard into the women's main draw on Tuesday.
At 44 years old, she's a 24-time Grand Slam champion. Her last singles match was at the 2022 US Open.
Williams had stepped away from the sport for four years. She recently returned to play doubles with her sister Venus.
She already secured a wildcard for the Wimbledon doubles competition. Now she's added a singles wildcard as the final spot in the draw.
When asked earlier this month if she'd play singles again, Williams seemed hesitant. "You think I'm ready for singles?
I need to get to work," she told reporters.
Her 2022 US Open exit to Ajla Tomljanovic appeared to be her final match. Many tennis observers had written an end to her storied career.
But Williams isn't done chasing history just yet. One Grand Slam title would tie her with Margaret Court's all-time record of 24.
She's won Wimbledon seven times during her career. Those victories came in 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2016.
Her Wimbledon singles titles match her seven Australian Open championships. No other major tournament has given her as much success.
Beyond singles, Williams claimed six Wimbledon doubles titles. All of those came alongside Venus.
Her credentials remain unmatched across professional tennis. She spent 319 weeks as world No. 1 and won 73 WTA singles titles.
She completed a career Golden Slam by winning all four majors plus Olympic gold. She achieved Olympic gold in both singles and doubles competition.
Williams last played singles at Wimbledon in 2019. That year she reached the final but lost to Romania's Simona Halep.
Her opening opponent will be revealed on Friday. Wimbledon officials will conduct the full draw that day.
The tournament kicks off on June 29. Tennis fans are bracing for what could be one of sport's greatest comeback stories.
