Serena Williams didn’t appear on the entry list for Wimbledon when the tournament released its initial fields earlier this month. But organizers have given the seven-time champion a wild card entry that will put her straight into the main draw as one of the tournament favorites this July.

Wimbledon Serena Williams odds
Serena Williams will play in Wimbledon after the All England Club awarded her with a wild card entry. (Image: Rob Newell/CameraSport/Getty)

DraftKings Sportsbook lists Williams as a +1800 pick to win Wimbledon, making her the joint sixth choice alongside world No. 3 Paula Badosa.

Williams warming up with doubles in Eastbourne

Williams, of course, is no ordinary wild card. The 23-time Grand Slam winner remains a threat against any opponent even at the age of 40. However, she hasn’t played since suffering an injury a year ago in her first-round match at Wimbledon.

The lack of competitive play, particularly at her age, will raise questions over just how far Williams can go at Wimbledon. Even if her form is sharp, fatigue will become a factor over the course of two weeks.

To prepare, Williams plans to play doubles with Ons Jabeur at Eastbourne next week. The tournament serves as a grass-court warm up for Wimbledon for many players, not just those returning from injury.

Swiatek favored after dominant run

If Williams wants to seriously contend for her 24th Grand Slam title, she’ll have to get through some formidable opponents. Dominant world No. 1 Iga Swiatek (+140) leads the way. Swiatek has won 35 straight matches, tying the longest such streak this century and the seventh-longest of all-time. That run culminated in Swiatek winning her second French Open title.

Wimbledon Odds – Women’s Draw (via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Iga Swiatek: +140Cori Gauff: +1000
Naomi Osaka: +1200Simona Halep: +1400
Bianca Andreescu: +1600Serena Williams: +1800
Paula Badosa: +1800Ons Jabeur: +1800

Coco Gauff (+1000) also looms as a Wimbledon contender. She reached her first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros before falling to Swiatek. At 18, Gauff has fulfilled her promise, and it’s only a matter of time before the young American gets her Grand Slam breakthrough. Naomi Osaka (+1200), Simona Halep (+1400), and Bianca Andreescu (+1600) are among the other players who will be among the top contenders at Wimbledon.

The All England Club awarded a total of six women’s wild card entries on Tuesday. The other five went to British players ranked outside the world’s top 100, including Katie Boulter. The tournament also announced seven men’s wild-card berths, including one for three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka. Wimbledon will award a total of eight wild cards in each draw.