Serena Williams Draws Australian Maya Joint in Wimbledon First Round

Seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams received a wildcard entry and will face Australian world number 53 Maya Joint in the first round at the All England Club. Williams, 44, has not played singles competitively since the 2022 US Open. The draw placed her in a section that also includes reigning champion Iga Swiatek.

British number one Emma Raducanu, seeded 30th, is scheduled to open against Croatia's Antonia Ruzic. Raducanu did not practice on Thursday because of a shin injury. Raducanu could meet top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the third round, the same matchup the pair played at Wimbledon last year.

Draper will open against American sixth seed Taylor Fritz. Draper is returning from injury and reached the Eastbourne semi-finals in his first event since April. World number one Jannik Sinner begins against Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic while defending his title.

Reigning women's champion Iga Swiatek starts against American Taylor Townsend. " — Maya Joint, 26 June 2026 (BBC Sport) Other first-round matches include Aryna Sabalenka against Serbia's Teodora Kostovic and Jessica Pegula against Czech player Darja Vidmanova.