Wimbledon seedings put Serena at No. 25

Serena Williams was seeded No. 25 for her return to Wimbledon after having a baby, a decision by the All England Club announced Wednesday that elevates the tournament’s seven-time champion above her ranking of 183rd. While WTA rules allow women who miss time because of pregnancy to enter events based on their preabsence ranking, there is no guarantee of a seeding, a policy that’s been debated in recent months because of Williams’ status. The 36-yearold gave birth to a daughter in 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 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 past two times she was in the field, in 2015 and 2016.

The draw for Wimbledon is Friday; play begins Monday.

One effect of Williams’ seeding: 32nd-ranked Dominika Cibulkova, a twotime Wimbledon quarterfinalist, won’t benefit from a seeding and could play anyone in the field in the first round.

Aside from Williams, the women’s seedings align with rankings: Simona Halep is No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki No. 2, reigning Wimbledon champ Garbine Muguruza No. 3, Sloane Stephens No. 4. In the men’s draw, after Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Marin Cilic is No. 3, followed by Alexander Zverev and Juan Martin del Potro.