Serena Williams, aged 44, is making a comeback to professional tennis after an absence of nearly four years. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion has been granted a wild-card entry to participate in the doubles event at the upcoming Queen’s Club grass-court tournament in London, as announced by the WTA Tour on Monday. Williams shared the news on social media with a post captioned, “Guess everybody heard the news,” accompanied by a video in which she humorously mentioned needing to change her phone number.
The Queen’s Club tournament is set to commence next week, and the WTA revealed that Williams will team up with a partner whose identity will be disclosed later. This return on grass courts has sparked speculations that Williams may also be eyeing a comeback at Wimbledon, which kicks off on June 28, a venue where she has clinched seven singles titles in the past.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the upcoming challenge, Williams stated, “Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter. Grass has provided me with some of the most memorable moments in my career, and I am thrilled to be back competing on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.”
Having last participated at the 2022 U.S. Open, where she refrained from using the term “retirement” and instead emphasized her evolution away from tennis, Williams has been gearing up to re-enter the competitive circuit. With a total of 14 Grand Slam doubles titles under her belt, Williams became eligible for competition after re-enrolling in tennis’ mandatory anti-doping program six months prior.
The news of Williams’ return has garnered excitement within the tennis community, with players like Naomi Osaka expressing eagerness to witness her comeback and acknowledging her significant impact on the sport. As preparations intensify, the prospect of Williams’ return to the court has stirred anticipation among both fans and fellow players, who recognize her enduring legacy and unparalleled contribution to the game.
With former top-ranked player Lindsay Davenport highlighting Williams’ relentless pursuit of excellence and emphasizing her potential to make an immediate impact upon her return, speculations are rife about her competitive strategy. Drawing parallels to John McEnroe’s successful doubles comeback at the age of 47, there is optimism surrounding Williams’ ability to excel in the doubles format and possibly extend her comeback to singles competition.
The upcoming participation of Williams at Queen’s Club marks a significant milestone, as the women’s tournament rejoined the men’s event last year after a hiatus of over five decades. This historic occasion underscores the significance of Williams’ return to the prestigious grass-court tournament, promising an exciting chapter in her illustrious career and offering fans a chance to witness her remarkable talent once again.