Serena Williams Announces She Is Returning to Professional Tennis

Serena Williams announced her return to competitive tennis after a hiatus of nearly four years on Monday. The 44‑year‑old, who has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, is scheduled to compete in the women’s doubles event at the Queen’s Club Championships later this month.

Williams has not played a professional match since a third‑round defeat at the 2022 US Open. She posted the message “Good news travels fast” along with a video of herself on court in an all‑white Nike tennis dress, her phone buzzing rapidly in the background.

Her comeback had been anticipated since December, when it was revealed she had re‑entered the anti‑doping programme—a prerequisite for participation on the tour. At that time she had denied any plans to return, tweeting, “Omg yall, I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”

Williams has received a wildcard for the women’s doubles at Queen’s, reportedly partnering young Canadian Victoria Mboko. “Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter,” she 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 event begins on June 8.

WTA tournament director Laura Robson welcomed the announcement: “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.”

In 2022, Williams said she did not want to use the word “retiring” but instead described herself as “evolving” away from tennis. Her 23 Grand Slam singles titles remain the most by a woman in the Open era, placing her second on the all‑time list behind Australian Margaret Court’s 24.

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