Wimbledon message sparks Serena Williams wildcard speculation for SW19 return

Wimbledon’s social media left a comment that could suggest a wildcard for Serena Williams at SW19. After the return of the 23-time Grand Slam champion and her doubles partnership with Victoria Mboko this week, doubts about whether the American will be ready for her return in a Grand Slam begin to clear.

The former world No. 1 had a notable return to the courts in women’s doubles alongside Mboko at the Queen’s Club Championships. The unexpected duo with the Canadian teenager started with a first-round victory over doubles specialists Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez in the first round (7-6, 6-2).

The Mboko-Williams return was expected in the quarterfinals, with a tough clash against Laura Siegemund and Leylah Fernandez—both with great experience in doubles. However, Mboko’s unexpected injury in her singles match—which forced her to retire—ended Serena Williams’ path without stepping back onto the court at Queen’s.

Mboko was injured while facing Karolina Pliskova in the second round of the singles main draw. A slip caused a knee injury that raises doubts over her participation in Wimbledon—and shortly after she confirmed her withdrawal from the Queen’s main draw, both in singles and doubles—also leaving Serena Williams out of competition.

The 44-year-old will return next week at the Berlin Ladies Open—where she will partner with Czech player Karolina Muchova. Undoubtedly an exciting partnership for fans in Germany, who will once again be able to see Serena Williams on court, and again alongside a singles top-10 partner.

However, for now Berlin is the second and last confirmed tournament of Serena Williams’ return. Since she confirmed her comeback, speculation has grown about whether she would appear at Wimbledon, although the organization has not yet confirmed anything officially.

A recent Wimbledon comment on their social media hinted that the wildcard for Serena Williams may indeed be granted. After Mboko and Williams’ withdrawal in Queen’s became known, Wimbledon’s official account posted a supportive message for the Canadian along with a key message for Serena Williams.

“Wishing Vicky Mboko a speedy recovery. See you at SW19 for The Championships, Serena” they wrote in the social media comments. Shortly after, the comment was deleted, but records of it circulated on social media, suggesting that Williams could join Wimbledon.

Final confirmation of wildcards from the All England Club is still pending, although everything seems to indicate that Serena Williams will be back at Wimbledon, where she won 7 singles titles and 6 doubles titles—all of them with her sister Venus Williams, as well as a mixed doubles title alongside Max Mirnyi.

Although for now it is only speculation—and there is no official confirmation—everything suggests that Serena Williams would join the doubles draw, although it is still unclear with which partner she might team up.

Will Serena reunite with her sister Venus? Will she seek another high-profile partner? These questions remain unresolved, while Wimbledon maintains uncertainty on the matter. What is clear is that Serena Williams recently admitted she is not yet ready to return to singles—although with the 23-time Grand Slam champion, you never know…