Serena Williams officially announced her comeback to professional tennis on Monday, ending an absence of almost four years.
The American legend is scheduled to compete in women’s doubles at the Queen’s Club later this month.
The 44-year-old, who holds 23 Grand Slam singles titles, last stepped onto a competitive court during a third-round exit at the 2022 US Open.
She hinted at the news on social media with the caption “Good news travels fast,” accompanied by a video of herself dressed in an all-white Nike tennis outfit, her phone lighting up with notifications in the background.
Speculation about her potential return had been building since December, when it emerged she had re-enrolled in the anti-doping program, a mandatory requirement for any player wishing to return to tour competition.
At the time, Williams pushed back against the rumors, taking to social media to write: “Omg y’all, I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”
Despite the earlier denial, she has since been awarded a wild card for the women’s doubles event at Queen’s Club in London, where she is expected to partner young Canadian Victoria Mboko.
“Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter,” Williams said. The seven-time Wimbledon singles champion added: “Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career, and I’m excited to be back competing on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.”
The women’s competition at Queen’s Club gets underway on June 8.
WTA tournament director Laura Robson welcomed the news warmly, saying, “Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen, and we’re delighted that she will be making her return to tennis at the LTA’s HSBC Championships. Women’s tennis made a historic return to the Queen’s Club last year, and now we have an icon of the game stepping back on to court.”
Back in 2022, Williams famously avoided the word “retirement,” choosing instead to describe her departure from the sport as an “evolution” rather than a final farewell.
Her 23 Grand Slam singles titles remain the highest tally achieved by any woman in the Open Era, placing her second on the all-time women’s list, just behind Australian great Margaret Court, who claimed 24 major titles throughout her career.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Serena Williams is making a highly anticipated return to professional tennis after nearly four years away, beginning with a women’s doubles appearance at Queen’s Club in London on June 8.
The 44-year-old legend, who owns 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any woman in the Open era, last competed at the 2022 US Open.
