Serena Williams returns to Wimbledon amid protest and uncertainty about top players
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 27, 2026, 9:16 AM
Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Wimbledon 2026 features key storylines, including Serena Williams' return to singles after a four-year absence, set to compete against Maya Joint in the first round. World No. 1s Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, both coming off shocking exits at the French Open, face scrutiny regarding their current form. Sabalenka struggles with her performance, having not won a grass-court title, while Sinner, despite his past success, is under pressure after his recent defeat. Player protests from the French Open are expected to continue at Wimbledon, contributing to the tournament's dynamic narrative.
- •Serena Williams enters Wimbledon four years after her last appearance.
- •Williams faces 20-year-old Maya Joint in the first round.
- •Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka both exited the French Open early.
- •Sabalenka struggles with form and has never won a grass-court title.
- •Protests from the French Open are expected to carry over to Wimbledon.
- 9:16 AMYahoo Sports — Wimbledon storylines: A tale of two world No. 1s, player protest and a GOAT’s last stand?
"If you would like to follow The Athletic’s Wimbledon coverage, click here and follow our tennis page. What will Serena Williams’ return to tennis do to Wimbledon, four years after her last appearance? Are two dominant world No. 1s in a strange position? Will a player protest continuing from the French Open have the desired effect? And what will Novak Djokovic’s tournament say about his future? Wimbledon 2026 promises to be a cracker. Here, The Athletic’s tennis writers Ava Wallace, Matt Futterma
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