Serena Williams, 44, made an emotional return to the Wimbledon singles draw on Tuesday, competing in a Grand Slam for the first time in four years. She appeared on Centre Court to face World No. 87 Maya Joint, marking her first appearance at the London tournament since 2022.
Williams was supported in her comeback by her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and their two daughters, Olympia, eight, and Adira, two. Despite Wimbledon's traditional age restriction of five years for attendees of the main show courts, an exception was made for Adira to watch her mother compete. Venus Williams, Serena's sister, and her husband, Italian actor Andrea Preti, were also in attendance.
This singles return follows a period away from the sport after the 2022 US Open. Williams had previously hinted at a potential comeback on grass courts after re-entering competitive play in doubles. She had also recently participated in the Queen's Club's HSBC Championships, winning a round before withdrawing due to a partner's injury. She secured her place at Wimbledon through a wildcard entry, joining a field where many competitors are significantly younger than her.
Williams' preparation has also drawn attention, specifically regarding her past public endorsement and use of GLP-1 weight-loss injections, such as those marketed as Zepbound. She became a paid spokesperson for telehealth company Ro last year and has spoken about her challenges with post-childbirth weight loss. Reports suggest she has lost approximately 34 pounds (15kg) using these medications. Her husband, Alexis Ohanian, is a board member and early investor in the company.
While GLP-1s are not currently banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), they are under review for potential classification as performance-enhancing substances. WADA has added semaglutide and tirzepatide to its Monitoring Program to track usage patterns in sports. The agency's study into these substances has been extended through 2026.
Williams has also voiced frustrations with anti-doping regulations, particularly the requirement for players to provide daily whereabouts for no-notice testing. She described the rules as "grueling" and "unprofessional," citing them as a significant factor that made her hesitant to return to the sport due to the demands on her time as a businesswoman and mother.
Before returning to competition, Williams had to re-enter the anti-doping testing pool. She stated that missing even one test outside of the designated testing window counts as a missed test, which she finds problematic given her travel schedule and other commitments. "I guess I can't go pick up my kids," she commented on the regulations.