Serena Williams to return to tennis at Queen’s Club

Serena Williams confirmed her comeback to professional tennis, accepting a wildcard into the women’s doubles at Queen’s Club starting June 8.nytimes
Williams, who last competed at the 2022 U.S. Open, will partner with 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko in her first match in nearly four years.nytimes
Former No. 1 Andy Roddick predicted Williams could transition to singles as early as Wimbledon, though her participation there remains unconfirmed.justwomenssports

Serena Williams Announces Tennis Comeback at Age 44

Serena Williams is set to return to professional tennis nearly four years after her last competitive match, with plans to compete in the doubles draw at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in London starting June 8. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, now 44, will partner with 19-year-old Canadian rising star Victoria Mboko in what marks one of the most remarkable comebacks in the sport’s history.nytimes

A Return Years in the Making

News of Williams’s planned return first emerged on May 27 via the “Served” podcast hosted by former world No. 1 Andy Roddick, who reported that Williams had requested a doubles wildcard at Queen’s Club. The story was subsequently confirmed by The Times of London’s Tom Kershaw and multiple other outlets.justwomenssports

Williams became eligible to compete again on February 22, 2026, after completing a six-month period back in the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s drug testing pool — a requirement for any player seeking to return after a prolonged absence. She never formally announced her retirement after walking off the court at the 2022 US Open, though she had described the moment as an “evolution” away from the sport.forbes

The Lawn Tennis Association, which oversees Queen’s Club, has two wildcards available for the doubles event. Williams will rely on wildcard entries throughout her comeback, as no protected ranking exists for players returning after extended absences.bbc

What Comes Next

Beyond Queen’s Club, Williams has reportedly requested multiple wildcards for the grass-court season, with Wimbledon a possible next step. Roddick predicted on his podcast that Williams could eventually transition back to singles competition, potentially as early as this summer’s Championships at the All England Club.sportsbusinessjournal

Williams had denied comeback plans as recently as late 2025, but her tone shifted in recent months. “The chances of me returning are very high,” she said, adding: “I’m just gonna see what happens.”instyle

Her partner Mboko, ranked ninth in the world in singles, represents a new generation of talent that emerged during Williams’s absence from the tour. The pairing of a 44-year-old legend with a teenage star has already captured global attention ahead of the June 8 start date.palmbeachpost