local
Serena Williams gave herself a pep talk to play singles at Wimbledon at age 44
By KEN MAGUIRE, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· June 28, 2026
· 1 min read
LONDON (AP) — 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. ...
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 McAllen
For tennis enthusiasts in McAllen , Serena Williams' return to Wimbledon is a significant event, and her placement on Centre Court for the first round match against Maya Joint is a testament to her enduring legacy in the sport. As a community with a strong interest in international competitions, residents of McAllen will likely be tuning in to watch Williams' highly anticipated match. The Rio Grande Valley's own tennis programs and facilities may also draw inspiration from Williams' determination and perseverance as she makes her tennis comeback at the age of 44. Local tennis fans may be interested in gathering at community centers or sports bars to watch the match and discuss the implications of Williams' return on the sport as a whole. The match against Joint will be a closely watched event, with many in McAllen rooting for the veteran champion as she takes on the young Australian opponent.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen 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 ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? LONDON (AP) — 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. ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 28, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KEN MAGUIRE, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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