Serena returns to Wimbledon as 25th seed

Serena Williams is seeded No 25 for her return to Wimbledon after having a baby, a decision by the All England Club announced yesterday that elevates the tournament’s seven-time champion above her ranking of 183rd.

While WTA rules

allow women who miss time because of a pregnancy to enter events based on their pre-absence ranking, there is no guarantee of a seeding, a policy which has been the subject of much debate because of Williams’ status.

The 36-year-old American gave birth to a daughter last September and was off the tour for more than a year.

By moving Williams into the top 32, the All England Club afforded her ‘‘protection’’ from facing any other seeded player in either of the first two rounds – and, of course, allowed the other seeds to avoid facing her that early, too.

Williams is a former No 1 whose 23 major singles championships are a record for the professional era, which began in 1968. She missed Wimbledon in 2017, but won the title the last two times she was in the field, in 2015 and 2016.

The draw for Wimbledon will take place tomorrow; play begins on Monday.

Wimbledon and other grand slam tournaments have leeway to stray from strictly following the WTA and ATP rankings when determining seedings.

That’s why, for example, eight- time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer’s success on grass courts was taken into account when the All England Club bumped him up a spot to No 1, while top-ranked Rafael Nadal is seeded No 2.

On the women’s side, French Open champion Simona Halep is No 1, Australian Open winner Caroline Wozniacki is No 2 and reigning Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza is No 3.