Serena Williams announced her return to competitive tennis at the Queen’s Club Championships. The 44-year-old, who last competed in the 2022 US Open and won her last Grand Slam title in 2017, received a wildcard entry into the doubles draw.
In a social media post, she said: “Guess everybody heard the news,” with the caption: “Good news travels fast.”
Speculation around Williams’ return intensified after she rejoined the tennis anti-doping testing pool. She stated that Queen’s Club is the perfect place to begin this next chapter of her career.
She will partner with 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko for the tournament from June 8-14. The focus now shifts to whether Wimbledon will allow her to compete when the grasscourt Grand Slam begins on June 29.
Williams has been working hard to get fit, often sharing updates on social media since playing last in September 2022. She had retired after a third-round loss at the US Open, citing a desire to prioritize other aspects of life but returned nearly four years later.
The return could reignite her successful doubles partnership with her sister Venus, who is still active and 15 months older. Valerie Camillo, chair of the women’s tennis body WTA, expressed excitement about welcoming Serena back, highlighting her legacy and potential impact on a new generation of players.