Serena Williams is one of the greatest tennis players of all time but she unfortunately won’t be at Wimbledon this summer. 

Williams won 96 career titles, including 23 single Grand Slams across her illustrious career, dominating at SW19 over the years. 

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The sporting icon has won seven Wimbledon titles in total, seeing her become one of the most successful players ever at the tournament. 

However this year, Williams will not be competing, with the new era of female tennis players taking the reigns. 

Why is Serena Williams not playing at Wimbledon? 

Williams is not playing at Wimbledon this summer as she retired last year. 

The tennis legend announced took part in her final tournament in September, featuring at the US Open before bowing out.

After playing her final game, which she unfortunately lost, Williams addressed the crowd in tears saying: “Thank you so much, you guys were amazing. I tried. 

“Thank you daddy, I know you’re watching. Thanks mom. I just thank everyone that’s here, that’s been on my side for so many years, literally decades. 

“But it all started with my parents and they deserve everything so I’m really grateful for them. And I wouldn’t be Serena if there wasn’t Venus, so thank you Venus. It’s been a fun ride.”

Williams last match at Wimbledon was in 2022 when she crashed out in the first round after a 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 defeat to Harmony Tan.

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Who is the current female World No.1?

Williams spent 319 weeks as World No.1 throughout her career but after her retirement, there are new stars in town. 

And the current player top of the world rankings is 22-year-old Iga Swiatek. 

Swiatek has totted up 14 titles and four Grand Slams throughout her career so far, earning over £15million in prize money. 

She has already won three titles this year, tasting victory in Doha, Stuttgart and most recently at the French Open.

Since becoming the World No.1 in February, the Polish star has retained her place at the top and heads into Wimbledon as the favourite to lift the iconic trophy.

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Nick Kyrgios is one of the most combustible tennis players on the circuit, but even he had to laugh at a cutting response from an umpire at Wimbledon in 2018.

Kyrgios is known to launch verbal tirades at officials, smash rackets, spit in the direction of the crowd and launch tennis balls out of arenas.

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Like him or loathe him, that’s why the Australian brings so many people out to his matches and millions watching on TV.

While there are plenty of incidents where he seemingly crosses the line, he also loves having a joke too.

In 2018, Kyrgios was facing Robin Haase at the All England Club and was called for a foot fault.

He was picked up by the court microphones as saying: “After I hit it?

“How’s that possible?”

Umpire James Keothavong had the perfect response and said: “That’s what he has to do. He can’t call it before you hit it!”

Cue huge laughter from the crowd, who clearly enjoyed the blunt rebuttal from Keothavong.

Kyrgios himself then had a huge smile on his face, knowing he was going to have to take that one on the chin.

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Then at the next change of ends, Keothavong then had to get out of his chair to demonstrate the foot fault rule to the Australian.

He went on to lose in the third round that year, part of a string of early exits at Wimbledon following his breakthrough in 2014 when he reached the quarter-final.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a career-altering moment last year as he reached the final, only to lose out to Novak Djokovic.

He followed that up with a quarter-final at the US Open, proving that he can compete with the very best at Grand Slams.

Kyrgios’ progress this year has been hampered by injury, as he goes into the All England Club with few matches under his belt.

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The Williams sisters are two of the most iconic female tennis players of all time. 

Venus and Serena dominated the sport for over a decade, winning plenty of titles on their own and together on the court.

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Venus will be taking part at Wimbledon this summer in what will be her 24th appearance at the tournament.

Meanwhile, Serena will not be appearing at SW19 after she retired from playing in September last year.

Which Williams sister is older?

Venus is two years older than her sister Serena.

Venus is 43 years old while Serena is 41 with the eldest of the siblings making her professional debut in 1994.

Serena would then play her first professional match one year later.

However, she retired from tennis after a 17-year-long career to focus on her family life while Venus continues to play after 18 years in the game.

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Which sister has won more Grand Slams? 

Serena has won a total of 39 Grand Slam titles across her career with 23 in singles, 14 in women’s doubles, and two in mixed doubles.

This is 16 more than her sister Venus who has won 21 throughout her career, with seven singles major titles.

Serena has 23 singles Grand Slams to her name, winning Wimbledon seven times, the US Open six times, the Australian Open seven times and the French Open three times. 

Her incredible record and reputation in the sport see her widely known as one of the greatest female tennis players of all time. 

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Venus’ seven singles Grand Slams include five Wimbledons and two US Opens, with her last major title coming at SW19 15 years ago. 

When it comes to doubles, the Williams sisters dominated, winning 14 titles together in total. 

Their first Grand Slams together came in 1999 after they won the French Open and US Open in the same year. 

They would then go on to win both of those tournaments once more while also winning at Wimbledon six times and the Australian Open four times. 

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It is 20 years on from Mark Philippoussis’ only Wimbledon final and he looks unrecognisable in an Instagram snap.

Philippoussis faced a young, pony-tailed Roger Federer in 2003, losing in straight sets to him.

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IG @mphilippoussis

That was Federer’s first Grand Slam victory, going on to win a further 19 that included seven more Wimbledon singles titles.

It was a miracle the Australian was even able to get to the final at the All England Club that year after battling back from three knee surgeries.

His run to the showpiece event in 2003 included an epic five-set victory over Andre Agassi.

“Walking into that match, I felt like I was the favourite,” he later said. “We were playing on grass. I don’t care who the person is or what he’s ranked. A couple months earlier I’d actually beaten him in Hamburg where he was defending champion on clay.

“I felt confident. I was living my dream. I’m not going to lie, it hurt. I got to the final. No one remembers the runners-up. Of course you don’t want to go all that way and lose. It was my second Grand Slam final loss and it hurt, especially this one.

“This one really, really hurt. I came back from some surgeries, they said my tennis career was over. I worked very hard. It was a beautiful two weeks, but I fell short.

That first Grand Slam final defeat came against fellow Australian Pat Rafter in the 1998 US Open final.

He officially retired from the sport in 2015 and most recently the 46-year-old was coaching Stefanos Tsitsipas before their split earlier in 2023.

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“Thank for the opportunity of being a part of your team,” he posted on Instagram alongside a picture of the two of them.

“It was a great ride and experience, I’m proud of what we achieved together in the short amount of time we had. I wish you health, happiness and success for your future, on and off the court!”

In 2007, he starred as the bachelor in the Australian reality series ‘Age of Love’, where women in their 20s and 40s competed for his affection.

Philippoussis also appeared in The Masked Singer Australia in 2020.

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