Serena Williams, the former world No. 1 tennis player, is set to make a highly anticipated return to competitive tennis at the age of 44. She will participate as a wildcard entrant in the doubles draw at Queen’s Club in London later this month, marking her comeback on grass courts.
Williams last competed on the WTA Tour in September 2022, retiring after a third-round defeat at the US Open. The 23-time Grand Slam champion expressed enthusiasm about resuming competition, stating that Queen’s Club is an ideal venue to start this new chapter. She highlighted the significance of grass courts in her career, describing them as the setting for some of her most memorable moments.
In a notable development, Williams re-entered the sport’s anti-doping pool last year, confirming speculation about her return. She had previously avoided directly addressing comeback rumors during an interview on NBC, which kept anticipation high.
Serbian star Novak Djokovic suggested that Williams might be aiming for a return at Wimbledon, while her former coach Rick Macci revealed that she has been training intensively with a strong commitment to making a successful comeback.
Throughout her career, Serena dominated the sport alongside her sister Venus Williams, who has won seven Grand Slam titles. Venus, who is slightly older, remains active in professional tennis and competed as a wildcard at the Australian Open in January.
