Serena Williams has confirmed her return to tennis after nearly four years away from the sport, with the American great set to compete in women’s doubles at Queen’s Club in London later this month.
The 44-year-old, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, has not played since her third-round defeat at the 2022 US Open.
Williams announced her comeback on Monday with a social media post saying “Good news travels fast,” alongside a video of her on court in an all-white Nike tennis dress, with her phone buzzing in the background.
Her return had been widely speculated after she re-entered the sport’s anti-doping programme in December, a requirement for players seeking to compete professionally again.
At the time, she dismissed rumours of a comeback, writing on social media: “Omg yall, I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”
However, she has now been handed a wild card entry for the women’s doubles at Queen’s, where she is reportedly expected to partner young Canadian player Victoria Mboko.
“Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter,” Williams said. “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 event at Queen’s begins on June 8.
WTA tournament director Laura Robson welcomed the announcement, describing Williams as “one of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen,” and saying her return marks a historic moment for women’s tennis at the venue.
Williams previously said in 2022 that she preferred the word “evolving” rather than “retiring,” as she stepped away from the sport after a career that produced 23 Grand Slam singles titles—second only in the Open era to Margaret Court’s 24.
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