Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion, is set to face Australia’s 20-year-old Maya Joint in the opening round of Wimbledon 2026, following the release of the tournament’s singles draw.
At 44 years old, Williams returns to the Wimbledon singles stage for the first time since her early exit in 2022. Entering the tournament as a wildcard, she finds herself positioned in a bracket that could see her competing against emerging star Alexandra Eala and the reigning champion, Iga Świątek, in the later rounds.
In addition to her singles campaign, Williams continues to pursue success in doubles alongside her sister Venus Williams, as they aim to capture a seventh Wimbledon doubles title together.
Strong Field Set to Challenge Wimbledon Contenders
The 2026 Wimbledon roster includes nine recent Grand Slam singles champions, highlighting the depth of competition this year. American players carry significant expectations, with No. 7 seed Coco Gauff leading the charge, supported by No. 4 Jessica Pegula and No. 5 Amanda Anisimova—both of whom have demonstrated strong performances on grass courts recently.
Fans can tune in to follow the tournament’s action starting Monday at 6 AM ET, with full live coverage available on ESPN.