In 2022, Serena Williams announced she will “evolve” from tennis. But four years later, it turns out that the legendary tennis player still has at least one more thing on her mind.
Williams, now 44, will return to competition in June and will compete in a doubles match at the HSBC Championship.
Williams confirmed the news and released a short teaser video hinting at his return. In the video, Williams’ cell phone can be heard chiming repeatedly as she walks across the tennis court to retrieve it. As she approaches the phone, the screen goes black and the words “I think everyone heard the news” pop up.
She also released a statement confirming her return, saying the HSBC Championship was the perfect place for her to return.
“We feel the Queen’s Club is the perfect place to begin our next chapter,” Williams said in a statement.
“Glass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career, and I’m thrilled to be competing again on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.”
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The HSBC Championship begins on Monday 8th June. It is unclear exactly when Williams will play his first game, as the draw has not yet been made. The pairings will not be revealed until three days before the match starts.
Williams will be competing in the HSBC Championship as a doubles wildcard after years away from the game. She will be partnering with Canadian Victoria Mboko for the event.
Williams hasn’t announced any plans beyond the HSBC Championship, but this tournament will be a solid warm-up for Wimbledon, perhaps her best Grand Slam event… though it’s hard to choose given her dominance.
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Williams likely intentionally used the word “evolution” rather than “retirement” from tennis, but it was unclear whether she would return to the court. In the years since his last fight, Williams has become a powerful spokesperson for the GLP-1 weight loss drug. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) monitors these drugs, but they are not currently banned.
