Serena Williams, the legendary tennis player, is making her much-anticipated return to the court at the Queen’s Club Championships in London. The 44-year-old will participate in the doubles competition, marking her first match since 2022. Williams, who has not officially retired, has been away from competitive tennis for almost four years.

Return to the Grass Courts

Williams expressed her excitement about returning to the grass courts, which have been the site of many of her career highlights. In a statement on the Lawn Tennis Association’s website, she said, “Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter. 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.”

Her last appearance was at the 2022 US Open, where she was defeated by Ajla Tomljanović. At that time, Williams did not use the term “retirement,” instead describing her departure as “evolving away from tennis.”

Preparation and Anticipation

The HSBC Championships, starting on June 6, will see Williams in the doubles draw, although her partner has not yet been announced. Her return was hinted at when her name appeared on the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s list of players registered in the international testing pool in late 2025. According to tennis anti-doping rules, returning players must give six months’ notice and be available for testing before competing.

Despite initially downplaying rumors of her return, Williams recently posted a video on social media that seemed to confirm the news, followed by an official announcement from Queen’s Club granting her a wild card entry.

Legacy and Future Prospects

Williams’ return to the grass courts is significant as it serves as a precursor to Wimbledon, where she has achieved remarkable success with seven singles titles. While it remains uncertain if she will compete in Wimbledon this year, her participation in the Queen’s Club Championships is a thrilling prospect for tennis fans worldwide.

Laura Robson, WTA tournament director, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “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.”

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.