Serena Williams’ Wimbledon Wild Card for Singles Draws Criticism from Fans – “Awful Look for Tennis”

When Wimbledon announced the wild cards, there was still one card left to be awarded for singles. As many had predicted, this Wimbledon will indeed mark the return of the Williams sisters because Serena Williams and Venus Williams have received the wild cards and will be competing in doubles.

And the lone wild card that was left to be given was awarded to none other than the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion. Williams will be competing in a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since the 2022 US Open, where, after her third-round defeat, she hung up her racket.

The 44-year-old will be competing in Wimbledon singles for the first time since 2022 (she suffered an opening-round exit). The last time she clinched the singles title at SW19 was in 2016 by defeating Angelique Kerber, with her last appearance in the final being in 2019 (lost to Simona Halep). It was at the 2017 Australian Open that Williams lifted her career’s 23rd Major singles title by beating Venus.

Last year in December, Williams entered the drug testing pool of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), and this started the comeback rumors. Then it came to light that she was taking a GLP-1 weight-loss drug, for which she was heavily criticized.

Then there were clips of Williams practicing in Florida. Also before the Queen’s Club Championships, there were rumors of Williams receiving the wild card in doubles alongside Canada’s Victoria Mboko.

Fans slam Serena Williams after she received the wild card for singles

Although the tennis world is really excited to see Serena Williams compete again, a section of the fans online questioned her and Wimbledon’s decision. They think a young talent should be given the wild card, while others slammed her for using the weight-loss drug.

Check out their reactions here:

This is an awful look for Tennis. 44 year old Serena Williams who has not won a match at @Wimbledon in 7 years has been given a WC to play.

Serena admitted that she used GLP1 weight loss medication to help her get back into shape.

What message does this send out to youngsters? https://t.co/rdT0fCMIJj

— Pavvy G (@pavyg) June 21, 2026

Couldn't agree more. No wildcard period. She's a, nobody now. She should hv gone through the same channels as everyone else. Never liked her, nothing has changed now

— Desikudi55 (@2hip4crate) June 22, 2026

She is taking 80k away from a player that WTA was fighting to earn more. Selfish move by a selfish person. Me me me….look at me!

— Iron Claw (@OrcusFire) June 21, 2026

It's all to push that drug. Don't be surprised if they make sure she has a deep run.

— jarrod (@jarrodpchambers) June 22, 2026

Let’s admire Steffi Graf, just left and was happy afterwards. Very few public events – true star.

— peter pan 2.0 (@snfk00) June 22, 2026

Why? She’s won everything. Why can’t a young promising British player be given a wild card instead!

— Kate Mackay F1 (@katemackay55) June 22, 2026

Wimbledon and the LTA are a circus. Just get in a few names that celeb fans will know and take in the cash. Compare treatment to that of Dan Evans.

— Dominic Fox (@DominicFrancisF) June 21, 2026

Has she ran out of money? Why?

— @gamesetvolley (@GameSetVolley) June 21, 2026

But Andy Roddick, in one of his episodes on his Served podcast, said that if he had been returning to tennis after retirement, he would have taken the drug to quickly get back in shape. Williams announced that the rumors were true through a Nike video on her Instagram.

She competed in doubles at the Queen’s with Victoria Mboko, and they won their first match. But the teenager suffered an injury during her singles match, which forced her and Williams to withdraw from their second-round doubles match.

The seven-time Wimbledon singles champion paired up with Karolina Muchova for the Berlin Open but suffered an opening-round exit. Williams will next be seen in action at SW19.

Greg Rusedski gives his verdict on Serena Williams’ return to singles

Former British No.1 Greg Rusedski said that although it’s tough to write off a legend like Williams, he questioned whether she, at 44, can really compete against the top players. He also wondered what will happen if Williams faces World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the first round.

She said at 44 years of age, she still has the hunger to get on court, to try to win tournaments, to do big things in our sport. And she wouldn’t be coming back just to make up the numbers. She looks in great shape. But the test will be is when she plays her first-round match. How is she going to be? Who is she going to play? Can you imagine if she hit Sabalenka in the opening round, the World No.1?

Greg Rusedski said on his Off Court with Greg podcast

The main draw of Wimbledon starts on June 29. Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek will be competing as the defending champion. Last year, she clinched a shock 6-0, 6-0 win over Amanda Anisimova in the championship clash.

Also read: Andy Murray Reveals If Serena Williams’ Comeback Tempted Him to Make Retirement U-Turn