Serena Williams is in discussions about a possible return to competitive tennis at Queen’s Club next month, four years after stepping away from the sport.
The 44-year-old is considering playing doubles at the WTA 500 grass-court event in London, which begins on 8 June. While nothing has been finalised yet, Williams became eligible to return after completing six months in the anti-doping testing pool earlier this year.
According to reports, Williams may partner 19-year-old Canadian player Victoria Mboko in the tournament. However, the pairing has not yet been officially confirmed.
Queen’s organisers have two doubles wildcard entries available
Tournament organisers still have two doubles wildcards remaining, and one of those can be given to a team involving either a former world number one, a recent Grand Slam champion, or a current top-30 player.
Williams, one of the greatest players in tennis history, won 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 14 women’s doubles majors alongside sister Venus Williams. She also claimed seven Wimbledon singles crowns during her legendary career.
Although many believed her defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open was her farewell match, Williams has repeatedly avoided using the word “retirement”, instead saying she was “evolving away” from tennis.
Williams has spoken publicly about training and weight loss
In recent interviews, Williams revealed she had lost around 14 kilograms over the past year through intense fitness work including running, cycling and gym training. She also mentioned preparing for a half-marathon and said she was “running farther than ever”.
Her recent physical transformation has increased speculation about a possible comeback ahead of Wimbledon, which starts later this month.
The Lawn Tennis Association has usually prioritised British players for wildcard spots, but officials have hinted that “exceptional circumstances” could influence their decision this time because of Williams’ global status and commercial appeal.
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