There was a buzz online all morning, because Serena Williams got up bright and early to post this on Instagram. “SW and SW19. It’s a date. 2022 See you there. Let’s Go #renasarmy.” SW is Serena Williams. SW19 is Wimbledon. Meaning, Serena is coming back this year to play on grass! Serena hasn’t played a competition match since last year’s Wimbledon, when she slipped on damp grass and injured her hamstring. Serena hasn’t WON a competition match since last year’s French Open. Wimbledon is Serena’s favorite tournament. She loves a grass court, and she holds fourteen titles at Wimbledon – seven singles titles, one mixed doubles title and six women’s doubles titles with Venus.
Both Venus and Serena have been off the tour for months now and their rankings reflect that. Serena is currently ranked #1208. Venus is #571. It’s completely terrible! But that means that Serena needs wild cards to play, and it was also announced today that Wimbledon is giving her a wild card, huzzah. Serena is also taking a wild card into the tournament in Eastbourne next week, where she’ll play doubles with Ons Jabeur (the first African and Arab woman in the top ten).
What’s also interesting about all of this is that Serena has split with her longtime coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. Patrick left her to coach Simona Halep, and Patrick just spilled some tea about their split this week. So Serena likely doesn’t have a dedicated coach right now although she tagged her hitting partner in the post, and some people think that Serena might borrow some people from Venus’s team for the grass season. I don’t know! I’m hopeful though. This is huge news because no one really expected Serena to just roll up to Wimbledon suddenly.
Serena Williams has been officially granted a wildcard into women's singles draw at Wimbledon. The comeback is on.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) June 14, 2022
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."
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) June 14, 2022
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Instagram.
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- (190713) — LONDON, July 13, 2019 () — Serena Williams of the United States reacts during the women’s singles final match between Serena Williams of the United States and Simona Halep of Romania at the 2019 Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 13, 2019. (/Han Yan),Image: 536648223, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS excluding China – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: Han Yan / Avalon
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- (190713) — LONDON, July 13, 2019 () — Simona Halep (L) of Romania and Serena Williams of the United States pose for photos after the women’s singles final match between Serena Williams of the United States and Simona Halep of Romania at the 2019 Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, July 13, 2019. (/Lu Yang),Image: 536648323, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS excluding China – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: Lu Yang / Avalon
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- Wimbledon London UK 28/06/2019 Photo credit: Peter van den Berg Serena Williams seen practicing in white tennis clothes on court 16 at Wimbledon as she prepares to compete in the WomenÄôs singles at Wimbledon
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- Wimbledon London UK 28/06/2019 Photo credit: Peter van den Berg Serena Williams seen practicing in white tennis clothes on court 16 at Wimbledon as she prepares to compete in the WomenÄôs singles at Wimbledon
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- Serena Williams (USA) TENNIS : Wimbledon – 11/07/2019
I love Serena. I really really do. But I feel like at this point, for both her and Roger, it’s more about keeping the marketing flame alive and that kind of money coming in. I would be so happy and out of my mind if either or both of them became competitive again. I just can’t see it. Makes me sad because I’m such a big fan of both of them. By the way, I totally understand what they’re doing and why. Got to make that money while you can, especially in this kind of individual sport.
I just want Serena to win that elusive 24th. Hope this is a good comeback for her. And speaking of coaches, hope Serena and Emma find the right coach soon.
People thought (hoped?) she’d quietly retired.
NOPE! lol!
Everybody seems to forget that for years Serena’s mother was the travelling coach so I don’t see why she can’t be in this role again.
So excited about this!
@Kathryn Me too!
Rafael has made a surprising comeback and is up to 22 big wins? I wholly believe Serena can pull it off. She is a champion and her love of the game and the challenge to come back are irresistible. Gotta love it.