Many fans were hoping that the legendary 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams would return at this year's Wimbledon Championships, but those hopes now seem less likely.
Williams' last professional appearance was at Wimbledon last year. In her first-round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich, she was forced to retire with the score locked at 3-3 in the opening set.
This was due to Williams sustaining a leg injury after slipping on the grass. The American has been ruled out of all tournaments since that point, with speculation rife about when she might return.
Some felt that Williams returning to the sport exactly a year later at the event where the injury happened could be fitting, but the latest update has made that less likely.
The women's entry list for the 2022 Wimbledon Championships has been released. Unfortunately, for Williams's fans, her name is not on it. That will come as a big disappointment to many.
However, all hope is not lost for those desperate to watch Williams at SW19. The wild cards for Wimbledon have yet to be awarded, and it is still possible that the 40-year-old will play as a wild card.
It seems clear that Wimbledon would award a wild card to the seven-time champion in London if she wants one. Therefore, she could be giving herself more time to try and recover, meaning she is not on the entry list.
However, it is important to acknowledge that this is just speculation. Right now, no one knows whether Williams will appear at Wimbledon or when she is most likely to return to the sport.
One thing that is clearer is that Williams will disappear from the rankings after Wimbledon if she does not play. It would feel incredibly strange for a player of Williams' stature not to be ranked, but that will be the reality if she does not compete at the third Grand Slam of the year.
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