The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion (and all-round athletic icon), Serena Williams, has confirmed that she will be making her competitive tennis comeback right here in the capital city. She’ll be taking to the grassy courts of Queen’s Club in West Kensington later this month, having officially accepted a wildcard into the women’s doubles draw of the HSBC Championships.
Having last competed professionally during the 2022 US Open, Williams’s imminent return will mark her first competitive tennis match in almost 4 years. Now aged 44, Serena Williams is one of the most decorated players in tennis history – with a trophy cabinet that is, quite probably, bursting at the seams.
Williams is expected to partner with 19-year old rising star, Victoria Mboko, for the event. The HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club is often used as somewhat of a ‘warm-up’ for Wimbledon (which will, of course, be returning to London later in June). The announcement of Williams returning to the competitive courts has – rather unsurprisingly – sparked some rumours around whether she might also play at Wimbledon. Either way, we’re pretty darn delighted to see her return to the capital city. Because as far as we’re concerned, Serena Williams and London are a game, set, and match made in tennis heaven.
Serena Williams said: “Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter. Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career, and I’m excited to be back competing on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.”
WTA Tournament Director, Laura Robson, said: “Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen, and we’re delighted that she will be making her return to tennis at the LTA’s HSBC Championships. Women’s tennis made a historic return to The Queen’s Club last year, and now we have an icon of the game stepping back on to court at this prestigious venue – it’s very exciting for the tournament and the fans.”
