Tennis legend confirms return with wildcard for Queen’s doubles tournament
Serena Williams will make her long-awaited return to competitive tennis at this month’s Queen’s Club Championships, almost four years after her last professional match.
Williams made the announcement on Monday.
Williams, the greatest female tennis player of the Open Era, retired from professional tennis at the 2022 US Open after losing to Australian Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round, winning the last of her 23 grand slam singles titles in 2017.
The 44-year-old re-entered the anti-doping testing pool last year in a move widely regarded as a sign of a comeback, before shutting down speculation online.
In the statement made by the London-based club, it was stated that they were granted the right to participate in the doubles draw with a wild card.
“Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin the next chapter,” Williams said.
“Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career and I am excited to return to racing on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.”
Williams posted a video on social media of herself leaving the tennis court and walking towards her ringing phone.
“I think everyone heard the news,” he said, and his post was captioned: “Good news travels fast.”
Multiple reports in the British media stated that Williams would team up with 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko after requesting a wildcard for the tournament from June 8 to 14.
Attention will now turn to whether Wimbledon, where Williams has won seven singles titles, will offer her a path to competing at the All England Club when the grass-court grand slam kicks off on June 29.
Mboko has broken into the world’s top 10 in the last six months, surpassing top 10 players including Mirra Andreeva, Amanda Anisimova, Elena Rybakina and Carolina Muchova.
Valerie Camillo, president of the WTA women’s tennis community, said the tour was excited to welcome Williams back.
“Serena is one of the greatest athletes of all time with a legacy that extends far beyond the field… I can’t wait to see her face the next generation of top players,” Camillo said.
“We are thrilled to welcome her back to the WTA Tour at this hugely exciting moment for women’s tennis.”
The door is now open for a potential revival of Williams’ successful doubles partnership with her sister Venus, who is 15 months older and still plays on the track.
The duo won 14 grand slam doubles titles together.
with AP
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Billie Eder is a sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
