Serena Williams to team up with Karolina Muchova at Berlin Open

Serena Williams, the 44‑year‑old former world No. 1, is making a high‑profile comeback at the VANDA Pharmaceuticals Berlin Tennis Open. She will partner with Czech player Karolina Muchova in the doubles draw, a pairing announced by tournament director Markus Zoecke. The event, held on the grass courts of Berlin’s Grunewald, offers a record prize pool of $1.2 million and features eight of the world’s top‑10 singles players.

Williams’ return follows a recent singles victory in London, where she and Canadian Victoria Mboko defeated Nicole Melichar‑Martinez and Erin Routliffe before Mboko’s knee injury forced her out of the doubles competition. Former German top‑player Andrea Petkovic praised Williams’ fitness, saying, “She is top‑fit and well prepared.” Zoecke expects Williams’ first match in Berlin on Tuesday or Wednesday, and the tournament hopes her participation will boost attendance and media attention.

In addition to the doubles story, the Berlin Open includes a strong singles field, with only Iga Świątek (Poland) and Victoria Mboko (Canada) absent from the top‑ten lineup. The event’s expanded Steffi‑Graf stadium can seat about 5,000 spectators, and organizers aim to showcase high‑quality tennis ahead of the upcoming Wimbledon Grand Slam.