Wimbledon women's draw out: Serena back, Swiatek defends

The women's singles draw has been made for Wimbledon, the year's third Grand Slam, with both the rivalry at the top and emotional returns catching the eye. At the tournament starting on June 29, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is placed at the top of the draw as the No. 1 seed, while the biggest talking point of the tournament is seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams's return to singles. The 44-year-old legend, on a wild card from the organizers, will play a Grand Slam singles match again after years away.

The distribution of the seeds points to a competitive tournament. Sabalenka leads the first quarter, while last year's champion Iga Swiatek, the No. 3 seed, is in the third quarter. 2022 champion Elena Rybakina (2) and Jessica Pegula (4) lead the other quarters. Young star Mirra Andreeva (5), who won her first Grand Slam at Roland Garros this year, fell into Sabalenka's quarter, and the draw points to a possible Sabalenka-Andreeva semifinal in the top half.

The most anticipated matchup is hidden on Serena Williams's path. Williams faces Australia's Maya Joint in the first round. Should the legend get through, Alexandra Eala awaits in the second round, and a possible third-round meeting directly with last year's champion Iga Swiatek forms one of the tournament's most exciting scenarios. Swiatek and Williams have never met.

There are eye-catching matchups in other sections of the draw too. Home favorite Emma Raducanu (30) could face world No. 1 Sabalenka in the third round after her opener. No. 1 Sabalenka begins against Serbia's Teodora Kostovic, while No. 2 Rybakina drew France's Lois Boisson in the first round. Amanda Anisimova (6), beaten 6-0, 6-0 by Swiatek in last year's final, is in Rybakina's quarter. With Sabalenka chasing her first Wimbledon title, Swiatek defending, and Serena Williams drawing all eyes with her return, this year's women's event promises excitement from start to finish.

Image: beIN Sports