Serena Williams returns to professional tennis with doubles debut at Queen's Club

Serena Williams, the 44‑year‑old 23‑time Grand Slam champion, is back on the professional circuit after a nearly four‑year hiatus. She received a wild‑card to play women’s doubles at the HSBC Championships (Queen’s Club) in London, partnering 19‑year‑old Canadian rising star Victoria Mboko. The pair are slated to face third‑seeded Nicole Melichar‑Martinez (USA) and Erin Routliffe (NZ) in their opening match. Williams re‑entered the sport’s anti‑doping testing programme in late 2025, making her eligible to compete again. She emphasized that the comeback is motivated by enjoyment and her children seeing her play, saying “I have nothing to prove” and “I don’t need to win”. While she does not rule out a future singles return, she noted she would need more training before considering it. In addition to the Queen’s event, Williams has added a doubles appearance at the Berlin Open the following week and hopes her participation will pave the way for a possible Wimbledon wildcard.