BREAKING: Serena Williams awarded main draw wildcard into Wimbledon

The Wimbledon organizes have awarded 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams a main draw wildcard for this year’s tournament.

Earlier today, Williams announced on Instagram she plans to compete at Wimbledon.

This afternoon, the Wimbledon organizers confirmed Williams as one of the wildcard recipients.

Williams, a former world No. 1, is now ranked outside the top-1000.

Williams, 40, hasn’t played since 2021 Wimbledon.

Back then, Williams was forced to retire her first round match.

Williams is a true icon at Wimbledon, having won the tournament seven times.

Williams lifted her first Wimbledon title in 2002, while her seventh title at The Championships came in 2016.

Williams to play Eastbourne leading up to Wimbledon

Today, Williams revealed she intends to make her long-awaited comeback next week in Eastbourne.

In Eastbourne, Williams plans to team up with Ons Jabeur for the doubles event.

ā€œI am excited to return to the Rothesay International tournament in England and to be back on the grass – a surface that has been so good to me throughout my career. Eastbourne has a unique charm that you donā€™t see anywhere else on Tour and Iā€™m looking forward to playing in front of the fans again,” Williams said in a statement.

Williams made her Eastbourne debut in 1998 and also competed at the tournament in 2011.

ā€œOn behalf of everyone at the LTA we are delighted to warmly welcome Serena back to the Rothesay International and the fabulous setting of Devonshire Park, Eastbourne.Ā  This yearā€™s line-up is proving absolutely stellar, where having Serena here will be the icing on the cake and personally, Iā€™m sure I speak for many in that we canā€™t wait to see her play again,” Eastbourne tournament director Gavin Fletcher said.

Earlier this year, Williams hinted she would compete at Wimbledon.

Now, less than two weeks before the start of the tournament, Williams has officially confirmed she intends to compete at The Championships.