Serena Williams returns to pro tennis at 44 for Queen's doubles debut
Consensus Summary
Serena Williams made a highly anticipated return to professional tennis at age 44, competing in doubles at the Queen’s Club in London starting June 8, 2026, her first match since the 2022 US Open. Partnering with 19-year-old Victoria Mboko, Williams won her opening match against third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe in a 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 victory, showcasing her enduring skill despite a four-year absence. Williams emphasized that her comeback was about 'having fun' rather than winning, though she remains a favorite to compete at Wimbledon later in June. Her return was confirmed after months of speculation following her re-entry into the anti-doping program, and she has expressed openness to future singles competition but has not ruled it out. The event drew massive attention, with fans and fellow players praising her historic impact on the sport.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Serena Williams accepted a wildcard to play doubles at Queen's Club in London, starting June 8, 2026, marking her first competitive match since the 2022 US Open.
- Williams will partner 19-year-old Victoria Mboko (world No. 9 in singles) in her Queen's doubles debut.
- Williams last competed professionally in September 2022 at the US Open, where she lost to Ajla Tomljanović in the third round.
- Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, including seven singles titles at Wimbledon.
- Williams returned to the WTA Tour’s anti-doping program in December 2025, making her eligible to compete again.
- Williams’s comeback match at Queen’s was against third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe, which she won 7-6 (7/2), 6-2.
- Williams’s older sister Venus, also a tennis player, is still active at age 45.
- Williams’s daughters Olympia (born 2017) and Adira (born 2023) were mentioned as motivations for her return.
- Williams stated she is not focused on winning but rather 'having fun' and enjoying the experience.
- Williams’s return was announced via a Nike-sponsored social media post with the caption 'Guess everybody heard the news.'
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Williams’s Nike post included a video with her phone ringing, saying 'I got to change my number.'
- Martina Navratilova, the previous oldest former world No. 1 to launch a comeback at 43 years and 10 months, praised Williams’s return.
- John McEnroe suggested Williams could still win Wimbledon in doubles, noting her physical ability for doubles remains strong.
- Williams’s second daughter, Adira, was born in 2023, and she recently posted a training video with her daughter showing 'a new trainer.'
- Coco Gauff expressed regret about not playing Williams and called her a legend for the sport.
- Williams explicitly said 'I can’t say yeah, I can’t say no' when asked about a potential singles return, adding 'Right now, no.'
- Williams trained with Alycia Parks (world No. 79) in Florida, with a video posted in March showing them hitting together.
- Emma Raducanu, who defeated Williams in their last match (2022 Cincinnati Open), called her return 'amazing inspiration.'
- Williams’s comeback was initially speculated after her return to the drug-testing pool, prompting her to deny it on social media: 'Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.'
- Williams’s first-round match against Melichar-Martinez and Routliffe lasted 90 minutes, with Williams serving out the victory with two aces.
- Williams allowed Mboko to serve first in both sets and lead during tiebreak points, a contrast to her usual dominance.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- ABC states Williams’s comeback was announced 'last week' (June 2026) before Queen’s, while Guardian Article 3 (May 28) suggests her return was 'poised' but not yet confirmed until June 1.
- ABC reports Williams’s Nike post included a video with her saying 'I got to change my number,' but Guardian does not mention this specific detail.
- Guardian Article 2 (June 7) quotes Williams saying 'I can’t say yeah, I can’t say no' about singles return, while ABC Article 1 (June 1) does not include this direct quote.
Source Articles
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