Serena Williams Returns to Wimbledon Singles After Four-Year Absence

Anticipation is building at Wimbledon for Serena Williams' first singles match in nearly four years. The 44-year-old is scheduled to play 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia in the third match Tuesday on Centre Court. The patch of grass is where Williams won seven of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles.

Organizers held an eighth and final wild-card spot for her until she accepted the invitation the weekend before qualifying began.

The line of would-be spectators camping out for daily ticket batches reached 10,000 people by Monday morning. Organizers advised people not to travel because the queue is effectively full. "By comparison to last year, it is really busy," Sally Bolton, the CEO of the All England Club, said.

"She is such an icon of the sport and particularly here at the championship; she's one of our most special champions," Bolton said. " Williams will also play doubles with her older sister later in the week. Since she last won Wimbledon a decade ago, eight different women have won the title.

Spectators expressed excitement about the return.