Full Breakdown
Serena Williams Returns to Professional Tennis in Doubles at Queen’s Club, Leaves Singles Door Ajar
6/9/2026, 12:46:33 PM
Doubles Comeback at Queen’s Club
Former world No. 1 Serena Williams, 44, returns in the women’s doubles draw of the WTA 500 HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club, London. She received a wildcard and will partner 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko. Their first-round match is set for Tuesday, 9 June 2026, after 5:30 p.m. BST, versus third-seeded Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe.
Evolution Away from Tennis and Return Path
Williams announced an “evolution away” after a third-round loss at the 2022 U.S. Open. She re-joined the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s anti-doping pool in August 2025, cleared on 22 February 2026, and earned wildcards for Queen’s Club and the Berlin Open (starting 15 June 2026).
Players Profile
Williams is a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion (seven Wimbledon titles) and a 14-time Grand Slam doubles champion (six Wimbledon, two U.S. Open). Mboko, 19, captured the 2025 Canadian Open and has a career-high ranking inside the top 10.
Official Statements & Responses
In a press conference, Williams said she “can’t say no right now” and that she “probably needs to train a little bit more if she wants to play singles,” adding that a singles return “is not my journey right now.” She also noted she “doesn’t need to win” because she has already achieved more than most athletes. Mboko praised Williams’s fitness, calling her “hitting great” with “clean ball striking” and able to find her rhythm again. Tournament officials confirmed the wildcard entries and called the event a key grass-court warm-up for Wimbledon.
Criticism & Opposition
A tennis commentary observed that Williams “certainly has some rust to shake off,” warning that the pairing may face coordination challenges against seasoned doubles specialists and that expectations of progress should be tempered.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I can’t say yeah, I can’t say no. Right now, no. 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 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
- “But I’m just playing doubles. I still want to be competitive and want to do very well.” — Serena Williams
What’s Next
Williams will play doubles at the Berlin Open starting 15 June 2026; Wimbledon wildcards will be announced later in June.
