SERENA AND VENUS WILLIAMS GRANTED WIMBLEDON DOUBLES WILDCARD

Serena and Venus Williams will compete together in the women's doubles draw at Wimbledon after the All England Club awarded them a wildcard. The announcement was made on Tuesday morning and marks Serena's return to the championships for the first time since 2022. Serena did not request a singles wildcard and has remained uncommitted regarding a singles comeback. Venus, who turns 46 on Wednesday, has also not received a singles wildcard.

The Williams sisters have won six women's doubles titles at Wimbledon, the highest total in the open era, and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together overall. Wimbledon also awarded wildcards to French Open finalist Maja Chwalinska, who will compete as both a wildcard and seeded player at the tournament despite not meeting the rankings cutoff, as well as singles wildcards to Stan Wawrinka and Grigor Dimitrov. The All England Club described the wildcard announcement as one of the most highly anticipated in recent memory, given Serena's return to professional tennis this month after four years of retirement.

Serena suffered a defeat on Tuesday at the Berlin Open, losing 6-4, 6-4 alongside Karolina Muchova against Erin Routliffe and Giuliana Olmos in the first round. This came hours after Wimbledon confirmed her participation. Wimbledon begins on 29 June.