Aryna Sabalenka? Coco Gauff? Naomi Osaka? Who would be standout first-round opponents for Serena Williams at Wimbledon?
Published 22/06/2026 at 15:39 GMT+1
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Serena Williams will make her singles comeback at Wimbledon after receiving the final wildcard spot for the Grand Slam. The seven-time champion has not played singles in nearly four years and hasn’t won a match at Wimbledon since 2019.
'I got tired of sitting at home!' - Williams on tennis return after triumphant comeback
Video credit: SNTV
In her last match at the tournament, she was beaten in the first round by Harmony Tan. A year earlier, she retired from her opener against Aliaksandra Sasnovich due to injury.
Williams, 44, will be unseeded at Wimbledon, which means she could be drawn to face any of the other 127 players when the women’s singles draw is made on Friday, June 26.
So who would be the standout first opponents for the 23-time Grand Slam winner on her return to the grass courts of SW19?
Williams v Osaka
Naomi Osaka beat Williams in one of the most infamous matches this century in the 2018 US Open final.
Osaka, playing in her first Grand Slam final, won 6-2 6-4, but the result was overshadowed by a remarkable outburst from Williams at umpire Carlos Ramos.
Williams accused Ramos of being a ”thief” and a ”liar” after giving her a code violation for coaching. She was docked a game for verbal abuse and later said the umpire had been sexist.
Osaka somehow managed to keep her composure amid a fiery atmosphere on Arthur Ashe, but was in tears as boos continued during the trophy presentation.
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Serena Williams (R) consoles Naomi Osaka after the 2018 US Open final
Image credit: Getty Images
The pair have faced each other twice since, with Osaka also winning their most recent meeting in the 2019 Australian Open semi-finals.
Much has changed since then, including Osaka stepping away from the sport to become a mum, as Williams did.
And if the match-up itself doesn’t get you excited, then what about the walk-on outfits?
Williams v Sabalenka
The GOAT against the world No. 1. Williams v Aryna Sabalenka would be one of the biggest Grand Slam first-round matches in recent memory.
The pair have only met once before, when Williams beat Sabalenka in three sets in the fourth round of the 2021 Australian Open.
Williams will probably be hoping to avoid Sabalenka when the draw is made, given she might be somewhat rusty having not played a singles match since the 2022 US Open.
Sabalenka has been the dominant force on the WTA Tour for the last 18 months and has made the semis on her last three appearances at Wimbledon.
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'She'll overcome it' - Henman backs Sabalenka to learn from French Open 'meltdown'
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Williams v Raducanu
Emma Raducanu beat Williams in one of her final matches before she stepped away from the sport in 2022.
The British No. 1 won 6-4 6-0 in Cincinnati and said recently she was looking forward to seeing Williams back on tour.
”It's really great to see her back, it's an amazing inspiration for all of us to see her around,” said Raducanu, who also added that she would ”love” to get the chance to speak to Williams.
Raducanu will be seeded 30th at Wimbledon following an impressive week at Queen’s, where she made the final.
What better way to start a Wimbledon run than by facing one of the greatest players to have ever stepped on the courts?
Williams v Gauff
It was in 2019 when a 15-year-old Coco Gauff first burst onto the scene by beating Venus Williams in the first round at Wimbledon.
Seven years later, Gauff is a two-time Grand Slam champion, ranked at No. 7 in the world, and is one of the leading stars on the WTA Tour.
Having grown as an idol for her fellow American, Williams has since become a ”friend and mentor” for Gauff, who has said she would love to share the court with the 44-year-old.
”It would be cool to step on the court with her just because she’s a legend and someone I looked up to. I’m very excited to be in the same spaces as her again.”
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'The main reason I decided to play tennis' - Gauff on Williams influence
Video credit: SNTV
Williams v Tan
When speculation was swirling over Williams’ comeback, it was reported that a potentially strong factor behind her return was ending her Wimbledon career on a more positive note.
The last time Williams played at the Grand Slam in 2022 she was beaten in a tight match by world No. 115 Harmony Tan.
Williams had a chance to serve out the win at 5-4 in the third set and also led 4-0 in the match-tiebreaker.
Coincidentally, at around the same time that Williams’ wildcard was confirmed on Sunday evening, Tan was given a place in the qualifying draw following Jodie Burrage’s withdrawal.Â
She will now need to win three matches to secure her spot in the main draw.
How better for Williams to banish any demons from 2022 than by beating Tan?
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