Serena Williams Makes Exciting Personal Announcement

Serena Williams stepped away from tennis in September 2022, and while she never completely ruled out a return, she remained away from the sport for nearly four years.

That changed Monday when Williams, in collaboration with Nike, announced she will return to professional tennis by competing in the doubles event at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in London from June 8-14.

The 44-year-old explained why now felt like the right time to return to the sport she dominated for more than two decades.

“Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter,” Williams said in the announcement. “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.”

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Williams never fully embraced retirement in the traditional sense and was candid about her feelings when she stepped away from the game in 2022.

“One thing I’m not going to do is sugarcoat this,” Williams wrote at the time. “I know that a lot of people are excited about and look forward to retiring, and I really wish I felt that way.”

Instead, she wanted to focus on growing her family, something she has accomplished with husband Alexis Ohanian. The couple welcomed their first child in 2017 and their second in 2023.

Still, Williams’ competitive drive clearly never disappeared, otherwise a return to the WTA Tour likely would not be happening. The comeback was also celebrated by the WTA.

“Serena is one of the greatest athletes of all time, with a legacy that extends far beyond the court,” WTA chair Valerie Camillo said. “Her return is an expression of her passion for competition, and I cannot wait to see her face a new generation of top players.

“Serena is not just a great champion. She’s a successful entrepreneur, a powerful advocate for the issues that matter, and one of the most iconic women in the world. We are thrilled to welcome her back to the WTA Tour at this hugely exciting moment for women’s tennis.”

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