SERENA WILLIAMS TO PLAY AT WIMBLEDON THANKS TO WILD CARD ENTRY

Former world number one and 23-time grand slam singles champion Serena Williams has been given the chance to play at this year’s Wimbledon tournament after being awarded a wild card.

The news was announced by Williams through an Instagram post which she captioned “SW and SW19. It’s a date. 2022 See you there.”

Williams, currently ranked 1 208 initially intended to compete in the doubles section of the famous lawn tennis tournament. At this stage, it’s unclear whether she wanted to compete in the singles section but didn’t qualify, or whether she didn’t plan to compete at all.

During last year’s tournament, the now 40-year-old was forced to retire during the first set against Aliaksandra Sasnovich due to a leg injury.

Fans and commentators have been sharing their thoughts on whether she will be able to compete again.

Before Wimbledon though, Williams will make her return to competitive tennis at the Rothesay Eastbourne International scheduled to take place next week.

At this tournament, she was given a wild card into the doubles alongside Ons Jabeur from Tunisia.

“I am excited to return to the Rothesay International Eastbourne in England and to be back on the grass – a surface that has been so good to me throughout my career”, said Williams.

“Eastbourne has a unique charm that you don’t see anywhere else on tour and I’m looking forward to playing in front of the fans again”.

Image credit: CNN