The prestigious Wimbledon Championships held in London have always been a battleground of success for the Serena Williams and Venus Williams. Their inedible mark on the grass courts of The All England Lawn Tennis Club is one to remember for ages. Fans have loved to witness their historic moments at Wimbledon. However, this year, the scenario will be different. With both the sisters’ names absent from the draw, fans are not happy about this sad turn of events.

As the list of players in the draw for this Wimbledon comes to light, fans realize two grand names were missing from the list, Serena and Venus Williams. For Serena, this is the same ground where she won 7 Grand Slams. For her older sister, Venus, the dream of winning her first-ever Grand Slam turned into reality at Wimbledon

Although Serena Williams retired from Wimbledon in 2022, speculation of a return has continued. When she was stepping away from tennis, her exact words were, “I’m not retired. The chances of a return are very high,” which fueled the fire. To every fan’s dismay, her comeback will remain a dream. The former World No. 1’s relationship with Wimbledon extends beyond just winning titles.

This is the same place where Serena competed with (doubles) and against (singles) her older sister, Venus, and showed the world their prowess on-court. Together, they have won six doubles titles together, with their amazing power on the grass. On the other hand, Venus Williams’ connection with Wimbledon is also not to be forgotten. 

After all, her talent on-court has not only helped her earn six Grand Slams but has also made her win the hearts of fans worldwide. Remember the first time she won her Grand Slam in 2000? After the victory, an exhilarated Venus said, “I go to bed at night and dream of winning a Grand Slam. And when I wake up it’s a nightmare. So now that I’ve done it, I don’t have to wake up like that anymore.” 

However, now it’s all in the past. Since 1996 ( a year after Serena turned pro and two years after Venus turned pro), both have shown their magic on-court. It all comes to a halt in 2024 when none of the sisters found a place on the Wimbledon players’ list. Naturally, this has disappointed tennis fans to an extreme level.

Fans react to Serena and Venus Williams’ absence at Wimbledon

Sharing their response to X, one fan wrote, “End of an era. 28 years is a helluva run!” Venus and Serena Williams have faced each other four times in Wimbledon finals. The 42-year-old former player has won three times, losing only one match to her older sister in the early 2000s. However, in the doubles, their prowess on the lush green courts of Wimbledon has earned them six titles in total! Therefore, the Williams sisters not participating this year marks the end of an era in tennis.

Another fan pointed out, “The last few years were rough and I wish they both had the endings there they deserved. And I know Venus is technically still on tour and could play it again but I will miss seeing them there. The first Wimbledon since I’ve been a tennis fan that won’t have them.” As the fan wrote, the two former World No. 1s indeed had a rough couple of years in Wimbledon. While Serena didn’t qualify past her second round in 2022, Venus didn’t play singles in that year. Although last year, the 7 Grand Slam champion played in singles at Wimbledon, she couldn’t qualify past the first round.

One fan wrote, “Not the same without the Williams sistas!!!.” With her aggressive style of playing, over the past two decades, Serena Williams has earned the title of the “G.O.A.T.” of women’s tennis. Why not so? Her Wimbledon record alone shows her undeniable prowess on-court, winning a total of 14 titles!

On the other hand, for Venus Williams, who has earned most of her Grand Slams in Wimbledon, it is a place for her to keep growing and achieve more. Venus Williams once said, “My motivation is to keep going just as I have always done. I have reached a level that few others reach in life or anything.”

One fan simply wrote, “I am so sad Venus Williams is not playing :(((.” Last year, Queen V said, “It’s never been done before, so if there is anyone who could do it [continue to play tennis even at 50], it would be me.” However, as she remains absent from this year’s Wimbledon, she will likely miss out on playing until 50, too.

Another fan wrote, “Yall, I believe this will be the first Wimbledon without a Williams Sister in the draw since 1996 😭😭😭.” While Serena has won 98 matches at Wimbledon, Venus’ reign there has lasted for 23 years since winning her first title. Their grass-court journey is nothing short of remarkable. 

Therefore, as an era comes to an end, the tennis world remains hopeful to see them grace the courts once again in the future, possibly together!