PARIS — At 44, Serena Williams is making her grand return to professional tennis, reuniting with the sport she fiercely ruled for two decades prior to her remarkable “evolution” away from the intense world of competition.
Her comeback kicks off at the prestigious doubles tournament at Queen’s Club, with the illustrious Wimbledon and U.S. Open potentially on the horizon.
“It feels like she’s gearing up for a potential return to singles at the U.S. Open, and the fans would be thrilled to see her back on the court there,” remarked former No. 1 Lindsay Davenport during the French Open, following the WTA Tour’s announcement of Williams accepting a wild-card spot in the upcoming London grass-court event.
Williams has clinched a staggering seven Wimbledon titles and six at the U.S. Open before stepping back in 2022. In doubles, she boasts six Wimbledon titles and two U.S. Open victories, all achieved alongside her sister, Venus Williams.
“She’s a true icon. It’s incredibly motivating to witness,” said top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka. “I’m eager to see her play again, possibly even face her… this is fantastic news for tennis.”
John McEnroe fueled speculation that Williams might also participate in singles at Wimbledon, commencing on June 28.
“While she may be aging, she’s still Serena Williams, and I’m sure her ambition is to claim the title,” McEnroe commented in Paris.
The Queen’s Club tournament kicks off next Monday, with the WTA confirming Williams will partner with a yet-to-be-named player.
“Queen’s Club is the ideal place to start this new chapter,” Williams expressed in a statement. “Grass has gifted me some of the most unforgettable moments of my career, and I can’t wait to compete on this iconic stage.”
Reports indicate that the rising Canadian talent Victoria Mboko is poised to partner with Williams at Queen’s Club.
Mboko shared her thoughts on teaming up with Williams after prevailing in her second-round singles match at the French Open: “I want this moment to be special for her,” she stated, as noted by AFP.
“If she feels ready to return on her own terms, I believe it’s up to her to make that announcement. The moment truly belongs to her.”
Davenport mentioned that several current women players recently traveled to Florida to practice with Williams.
“I can’t confirm who, but I know some did,” said Davenport. “She seems to understand where her level currently stands, but we’ll have to see if she’s been engaging in two-hour singles matches.”
Williams, who holds a remarkable 14 Grand Slam doubles titles in her illustrious career, became eligible to compete in February after re-registering with tennis’ essential anti-doping program six months ago—a critical step towards a comeback.
Djokovic excels at 39
Davenport pointed out that Novak Djokovic remains competitive at 39 years old, having recently pushed 19-year-old Joao Fonseca to five sets in the third round in Paris.
“It won’t be a walk in the park for her. But if anyone can pull it off, it’s undoubtedly her,” Davenport noted. “We’re witnessing an unprecedented era of athletes who train more effectively and sustain high performance levels longer than we ever anticipated.”
“She always looks phenomenal—perhaps in even better shape than when she left.”
Although Williams’ powerful serve offers a distinct advantage on grass, the surface poses unique challenges due to its speed and low bounces.
“Starting on grass can be quite challenging,” Davenport explained. “It plays incredibly fast and low, requiring physical maneuvering rather than extensive running. … She would only return if she were confident in her ability to perform at a high level. Nonetheless, we must be patient as she finds her rhythm again.”
The Williams sisters were pivotal role models for Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion who triumphed over Williams in the 2018 U.S. Open final for her debut major title. She expressed her excitement for Williams’ return.
“Her presence will undoubtedly draw audiences to tennis,” Osaka stated on Thursday. “I’ll definitely be tuned in for her first match. Everyone knows Serena and Venus were the figures I looked up to as a child, so witnessing her back on court will be incredible.”
Williams shared a heartfelt video on Instagram showcasing her training session on a hard court alongside her daughter, saying, “Rumor has it…I’ve got a new trainer.”
Her second daughter was welcomed in 2023.
Meanwhile, Venus Williams, who once held the No. 1 ranking and has claimed five Wimbledon titles, continues to compete occasionally at 45.
McEnroe shines at 47
McEnroe made a return at 47 after over a decade of retirement, winning a tour-level doubles tournament with partner Jonas Bjorkman.
“Physically, I was still able to handle doubles, so she certainly can thrive in that arena as well,” McEnroe stated confidently. “She has the potential to win anything in doubles. Singles, however, presents more challenges… I’m uncertain about what her plans are; she hasn’t reached out to share them with me.”
Coco Gauff expressed regret at never having the chance to compete against Williams: “It’s something I deeply wish had happened.”
American player Madison Keys added, “Serena playing is only beneficial for the sport. We’re all thrilled to watch her in action.”
“Every time she steps on the court, we’re witnessing history,” Keys continued. “So why wouldn’t we want to see more of that?”
Women return to Queen’s after over 50 years
Last year marked the return of a women’s tournament alongside the men’s competition at Queen’s after a hiatus of over 50 years, making Williams’ debut at this historic grass-court venue particularly noteworthy.
“Now,” said Laura Robson, director of the Queen’s tournament, “we’re privileged to witness an icon of the sport stepping back onto this esteemed court.”
— With contributions from Sportsnet Staff
