After leaving tennis in September 2022, Serena Williams has announced her return to professional tennis. The announcement was made on Monday in association with Nike. Williams will participate in the doubles event at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in London from June 8-14.
The 44-year-old shared her reasons for coming back to the sport she dominated for over twenty years. “Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter,” Williams stated. “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.”
Despite stepping away from the game in 2022, Williams never fully embraced the idea of retirement. She was open about her mixed feelings at the time. “One thing I’m not going to do is sugarcoat this,” Williams wrote previously. “I know that a lot of people are excited about and look forward to retiring, and I really wish I felt that way.”
During her time away from tennis, Williams focused on her family. She and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, welcomed their first child in 2017 and their second in 2023. Yet, her competitive spirit remained strong, paving the way for her return to the WTA Tour.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) celebrated her comeback. WTA chair Valerie Camillo remarked, “Serena is one of the greatest athletes of all time, with a legacy that extends far beyond the court. Her return is an expression of her passion for competition, and I cannot wait to see her face a new generation of top players.”
Camillo also highlighted Williams’ influence beyond tennis, stating, “Serena is not just a great champion. She’s a successful entrepreneur, a powerful advocate for the issues that matter, and one of the most iconic women in the world. We are thrilled to welcome her back to the WTA Tour at this significant moment for women’s tennis.”