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Serena Williams gave herself a pep talk to play singles at Wimbledon at age 44
By Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 28, 2026
· 4 min read
Serena Williams had to talk herself into accepting Wimbledon's offer to play singles.The All England club was holding one last wild card entry and the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion — who had already announced she'd play doubles with her sister Venus — had a decision to make.“I thought I sho...
Key takeaway The All England club was holding one last wild card entry and the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion — who had already announced she'd play doubles with her sister Venus — had a decision to make.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio tennis enthusiasts are likely to be watching Wimbledon with great interest, given the return of Serena Williams to singles competition. While Williams' decision to play may have been a last-minute one, her presence at the tournament is a significant draw for fans in the Alamo City and beyond. As a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, Williams' legacy extends far beyond her on-court accomplishments, inspiring a new generation of tennis players and fans. Her match against 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia will be closely watched, particularly given the significant age gap between the two competitors. San Antonio's own tennis community, which includes numerous public courts and programs, may see a surge in interest and participation in the sport as a result of Williams' comeback, highlighting the enduring impact of her career on the sport.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Serena Williams had to talk herself into accepting Wimbledon's offer to play singles.The All England club was holding one last wild card entry and the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion — who had already announced she'd play doubles with her sister Venus — had a decision to make.“I thought I sho...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 28, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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