Serena Williams’ return joins the greatest comebacks in women’s sports

June 1, 2026

Serena Williams is returning to professional tennis at age 44 after nearly four years away from the sport. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion has accepted a wild card invitation to play doubles at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in London, which starts June 6. Her doubles partner has not yet been announced, and the WTA confirmed her return after she re-registered with tennis’s mandatory anti-doping program six months earlier, becoming eligible to compete in February.

This comeback places Williams among iconic comebacks in women’s sports history. The return on grass court has sparked speculation that she may also compete at Wimbledon, which begins June 28. Williams has won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles in addition to her singles accomplishments, and she first hinted at her comeback through a social media video with Nike before Queen’s Club officially confirmed her participation.

Williams originally announced her retirement following the 2022 US Open, but she never formally declared retirement and has now started a new chapter in one of tennis’s most influential careers. Her return demonstrates that women do not have an expiration date in sports, particularly after becoming mothers, and marks a historic moment for both tennis and women’s athletics. USA Today