Wimbledon 2026 Women’s Seed Report: All Eyes Are on Serena Williams
Sports Illustrated • • sports
Key Points:
- Serena Williams, at 44, returns to competitive singles tennis at Wimbledon 2026, marking her first sanctioned match since 2022, generating significant excitement and media attention.
- Aryna Sabalenka is the top seed and favorite to win her first major on a natural surface, despite recent inconsistent performances in Grand Slams.
- Defending champion Iga Świątek faces questions about her current form, having not won a title in 2026, though she has previously overcome similar slumps to claim Wimbledon.
- Rising stars like Linda Nosková and Mirra Andreeva are considered strong contenders, with Nosková predicted as a potential surprise champion due to her grass-court aptitude and momentum.
- Key first-round matches to watch include Serena Williams vs. Maya Joint and Taylor Townsend vs. Iga Świątek, with notable dark horses such as Donna Vekić, Paula Badosa, and Barbora Krejčíková also in the mix.
