Full Breakdown
Serena Williams Returns to Professional Tennis with Doubles Debut at Queen’s Club
6/7/2026, 10:44:06 PM
Background & Context
Serena Williams, 44, stepped away after a loss to Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open, describing her exit as “evolving” away from tennis. She has since given birth to daughters Olympia (8) and Adira (2) and stayed off the WTA Tour. In December she said she was “definitely not” returning, but later reconsidered, noting the summer break as a chance to play for fun.
Doubles Comeback at Queen’s Club
Williams announced a “pretty 11-hour commitment” to the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in London, partnering 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko in the women’s doubles draw. Their first-round match against third-seeded Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe is set for Tuesday, marking Williams’s first competitive appearance since the 2022 US Open.
Key Figures & Statistics
- Serena Williams – 23 Grand Slam singles titles, 14 doubles titles, former world No. 1.
- Victoria Mboko – Canadian, world No. 9 in singles, Williams’s partner.
- Opponents – Nicole Melichar-Martinez / Erin Routliffe, third seeds.
- Williams is 44; Mboko is 19; this is Williams’s first WTA event in four years.
Official Statements & Responses
Williams said her comeback is “not about titles” and that she “doesn’t need to win,” emphasizing personal fulfillment. She called the summer “a perfect time to get out there, have fun, and see what happens,” and said she may need more training before considering singles. Mboko praised Williams’s fitness, calling her “clean ball striking” and a “God-given gift” ready to compete.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I can’t say no right now, I feel like I probably need to train a little bit more if I want to play singles, and we will see if I get there, and if not… that’s not my journey right now,” — Serena Williams, former world No. 1
- “I've won more than most people have in their whole lives, so it's not that important to me, and it's important that I keep reminding myself of that, because I don't have anything to prove.” — Serena Williams
- “She's hitting great. She has such clean ball striking, she could probably take years off, and when she steps on the court she could probably find that rhythm again and find her timing.” — Victoria Mboko, Canadian tennis player
- “She’s the greatest female tennis player of all time.” — Emma Raducanu, 2023 US Open champion
Impact & Future Outlook
Williams’s return offers a high-profile example of a veteran athlete competing for enjoyment rather than titles, potentially inspiring other retirees. The partnership gives Mboko exposure on a major grass-court event. Williams has entered the Berlin Open doubles draw and will assess singles readiness after more match practice. Ongoing Wimbledon wildcard meetings mean her Queen’s Club performance could affect a possible main-draw entry.
