The 2026 Wimbledon Championships officially commenced on Monday, June 29, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London.
Thousands of fans gathered to witness the historic returns of Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Novak Djokovic to the grass-court Grand Slam.
Serena Williams Returns to Singles
Serena Williams, 44, is making her return to professional tennis after nearly four years away.
She accepted a singles wild card invitation and will also partner with her sister Venus, 46, in the doubles tournament.
She is scheduled to play her opening singles match on Centre Court on Tuesday against 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Serena detailed the internal deliberations that led her to accept the singles wild card.
"I thought I should really take this opportunity. Who knows if I’ll ever make it here again.
This could be it," she said.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion admitted she experienced self-doubt before confirming her decision. "I was like, ‘What’s wrong with me, Serena?
What are you thinking? Are you nuts?
Like you really should do this,’" she said.
She elaborated on the privilege of competing at the highest level. "People live to be an athlete.
I have this great opportunity to showcase what I do, what I do best, I suppose.
Yeah, I think ultimately I was like that is pretty cool, so I should do it," said Serena.
Reflecting on her return, she noted that her expectations are different this time.
"In general my expectations are definitely different for the first time in my career," she said.
Regarding her first-round opponent, Maya Joint, Serena acknowledged watching her videos. "Yeah, actually I know her.
I’ve watched some of her videos," she said. She added, "I’m sure she knows my game."
Williams confessed she still experiences pre-match anxiety. "I expect to be nervous.
I was also nervous every single match I ever played in my life," she said. She explained that nerves reflect her passion.
"I think that showed the passion and the love and the care, that I cared about my job, whether it was the first round or the second round or the finals.
I’ve always had some nerves. But then I just dust ’em off, then I move on," she said.
She also addressed comments from players like French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, who expressed relief at avoiding an early matchup.
"Respectfully, it’s not surprising simply because I think anyone that’s done — it’s like the big four coming back, I mean, Novak is still here, but no one would want to play them in their first round.
I can’t think of anyone that would want to do that," said Serena.
She emphasized the tactical unpredictability she brings due to her absence.
"No one knows how my game may or may not have evolved, what to expect, don’t know much.
Those type of opponents are always very difficult to play," she said.
Lindsey Vonn on Serena's Comeback
Retired alpine skiing champion Lindsey Vonn shared insights on Williams' competitive drive after their conversation at Queen’s Club in London.
"There is an increasing shift in what women can accomplish at later stages in their careers or life," said Vonn.
She expressed mutual respect for their comebacks in their 40s.
"I feel like we are in the same boat, where we don’t need to prove anything to anyone but we still have the ability to compete at an elite level.
She also told me that I played a role in inspiring her to come back so that of course was meaningful to me," said Vonn.
Vonn noted the positive energy she witnessed from Williams during warm-up matches. "She was in great spirits.
She’s having fun which I loved seeing, even more than her tennis," she said. She encouraged Williams to continue as long as it brings joy.
"If it’s bringing her joy to play, I say play as long as you want!" said Vonn.
When asked about expected results, Vonn advised a measured perspective.
"It’s her first major singles tournament since retiring so I would expect for her to play well but not show all her cards yet," she said.
Vonn affirmed her belief in Williams' capabilities. "I’m sure she can still win, but I wouldn’t put any expectations on her.
She’s the GOAT no matter what happens," said Vonn.
Reflecting on her return to grass, Serena described it as natural. "It was kind of like riding a bike," she said.
However, she acknowledged that competitive matches may bring challenges. "Obviously when I play, I might have a lot of things come up," she said.
She reiterated her philosophy: "You have to believe in yourself and go for any dream, no matter how wild it may be."
Venus Williams and the Sisters' Legacy
Venus Williams, a five-time Wimbledon singles champion, commented on their unfinished legacy. "Clearly it’s not set, right?"
she said. "There’s still time."
The narrative recalled early career confidence.
In June 1997, before Venus made her professional debut at age 17, she said: "I’ve played a couple of junior tournaments in California but I’m so far beyond that level."
She added, "Of course there are some good juniors out there, who also want to make the grade.
But I already consider myself a professional — that’s where I want to compete and not as a junior.
I know what I’m doing because I’ve been working towards this since I was 4.
I’ve always known what I want to do and have never doubted that I will succeed."
Serena, then 15, echoed that confidence.
"The others like Martina and Anna can have their turn, they’ve worked hard for it too, but I’ll have mine.
It is my life goal and I don’t think about failure," she said. She rejected playing junior Wimbledon.
"Am I here to play in the Wimbledon juniors? I’m too good for that, I’m far too good for the juniors.
I’m just here to be with Venus and gain some experience for when I play Wimbledon next year, which I definitely will," said Serena.
After her breakthrough singles title in 2000, Venus addressed societal barriers. "Yeah, it had to be hard because people were unable to see past color," she said.
She noted ongoing racial dynamics. "Still these days, it’s hardly any different, because you have to realise it’s only been 40 years.
How can you change years and centuries of being biased in 40 years? So realistically, not too much has changed.
But I really appreciate how hard it was.
You realise not everyone wants you to win, not everyone’s going to support you — and that’s OK," said Venus.
By 2002, Serena had defeated her sister in the singles final. She described establishing her individual identity.
"I used to think I was Venus," she said. She realized small differences.
"I thought I liked things she liked. I realized I don’t like tomatoes.
I don’t like mushrooms. I had to realize I was a different kind of person.
I think this kind of helped.
From little things like that to bigger things, I realize I’m a totally different person than she is," said Serena.
When asked if an expiring footwear contract motivated her, Serena responded: "Well, I definitely am. I’m really exciting.
I smile a lot. I win a lot, and I’m really sexy."
Djokovic and Other Matches
Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic begins his bid for a 25th Grand Slam title on Monday against Wu Yibing.
Defending women's champion Iga Swiatek opens her tournament against Taylor Townsend on Tuesday at 1:30 p. m.
local time.
That is followed by an opening-round match between Taylor Fritz and Jack Draper, prior to the final Centre Court match between Williams and Joint.
The tournament runs for two weeks, with the women's singles final on Saturday, July 11, and the men's singles final on Sunday, July 12.
