Serena Williams will open her Wimbledon 2026 campaign against Australia’s Maya Joint after the draw was released on Friday, June 26. The 44-year-old, entering the main draw via a wildcard, is set to make her first Grand Slam singles appearance since the 2022 US Open and return to Wimbledon singles action after four years away.
Despite being just 20, Joint is seen as one of Australia’s emerging talents, and the match is shaping up as one of the standout first-round encounters. She had a strong breakthrough in 2025, winning WTA titles in Morocco and Eastbourne.
If Williams wins her opener, she is projected to meet the Philippines’ Alexandra Eala in the second round, followed by a possible third-round clash with defending champion and third seed Iga Swiatek—who she has never faced on the WTA Tour.
Beyond that, her projected path includes Amanda Anisimova or Madison Keys in the fourth round, Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals, and a potential semi-final against players such as Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva, Qinwen Zheng, or Coco Gauff. The final could see her meet Aryna Sabalenka or another top-half contender.
Elsewhere in the draw, top seed Aryna Sabalenka begins against qualifier Teodora Kostovic, second seed Elena Rybakina faces Lois Boisson, Swiatek opens against Taylor Townsend, and Jessica Pegula takes on Darja Vidmanova. Other notable first-round matches include Emma Raducanu vs Antonia Ruzic, Naomi Osaka vs Elsa Jacquemot, and Coco Gauff vs Tamara Korpatsch.
The women’s draw features a mix of established stars, rising talents, and Serena Williams’ high-profile return, setting up several potential marquee clashes in the early rounds.
