Full Breakdown
Williams Sisters Reunite for Wimbledon Doubles Wildcard
6/17/2026, 6:15:14 AM
Reunion and Wildcard Announcement
The All England Club confirmed on 16 June that Serena Williams (44) and Venus Williams (45/46) have been granted a women’s doubles wildcard for the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, which commence on 29 June. The pair did not request a singles wildcard, and neither name appears on the current women’s singles entry list. The wildcard is one of seven allocated to the women’s doubles draw, as noted by Reuters.
Comeback Context and Past Achievements
Serena returned to competition in early June at the Queen’s Club Championships, partnering Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko. The duo won their opening match 7-6(2), 6-2 before Mboko’s knee injury forced a withdrawal. Serena subsequently entered the Berlin Open with world No. 10 Karolína Muchová, losing 6-4, 6-4 to Giuliana Olmos and Erin Routliffe. Venus has been competing intermittently throughout the season, most recently reaching the doubles quarter-final at the Madrid Open. The sisters last played together at a Grand Slam at the 2022 U.S. Open, where they fell in the opening round.
Key Statistics
- Combined age at Wimbledon: ? 90 years (Serena 44, Venus 45/46).
- Grand Slam women’s doubles titles together: 14 (six at Wimbledon).
- Wimbledon women’s doubles titles together: 6 (2000, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2016).
- Olympic gold medals together: 1 (women’s doubles, 2012).
- Singles Grand Slam titles: Serena 23, Venus 7.
- Women’s singles wildcards: 8 total, 7 allocated (including French Open finalist Maja Chwalinska, world No. 21), 1 slot pending.
- Men’s singles wildcards: 3 allocated (Stan Wawrinka, Grigor Dimitrov, others), 2 slots pending.
Official Statements
The All England Club explained that wildcards “are handed to players whose ranking does not allow automatic entry and are usually reserved for high-profile players returning from injury or those from the home nation.” The club also noted that the Williams sisters “did not request a singles wildcard,” underscoring the focus on their doubles partnership for this tournament.
Criticism of Wildcard Allocation
British player Dan Evans criticised the Lawn Tennis Association’s wildcard policy, describing it as “lacking ‘class’” after being omitted from the Queen’s Club singles draw despite his impending retirement. His comment highlights ongoing debate over the balance between rewarding returning stars and supporting domestic players.
On-Court Observations
Reporters at Queen’s observed Serena’s “day-at-a-time” attitude after her victory, noting she “had a lot of fun” playing with Mboko. At the Berlin Open, commentators highlighted the pair’s “solid baseline play” before the straight-sets loss. Both sisters have expressed enthusiasm for reuniting on Wimbledon’s grass, with Serena emphasizing family motivation.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Venus’s age, listing her as 45 in some reports and 46 in others, reflecting the timing of her birthday (17 June). Additionally, the total number of women’s singles wildcards is reported as eight (with one pending) by some outlets, while others reference seven allocated plus one open slot, indicating a minor discrepancy in counting methodology.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Back together, at Wimbledon.” — Wimbledon Instagram
- “I can't say no right now,” — Serena Williams, press conference
- “I feel like I probably need to train a little bit more if I want to play singles, and we will see if I get there, and if not, that's not my journey right now.” — Serena Williams, press conference
- “I don't know. I had nothing better to do. I got tired of sitting at home. My kids are out of school for the summer, so why not?” — Serena Williams, interview
What’s Next
Serena will compete in the Berlin Open doubles with Muchová before heading to Wimbledon, where the sisters are slated to begin in the first round of the women’s doubles draw. The tournament will also determine the final women’s singles wildcard, potentially affecting the entry list for the remainder of the Championships.
