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Serena Williams is returning to professional tennis at the age of 44 after almost four years away from the sport.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion has accepted an invitation to play doubles at the upcoming Queen's Club grass-court tournament in London, the WTA Tour announced on Monday.
Williams also posted on social media with the caption, “Guess everyone heard the news.” The post featured a video of her phone ringing, in which she said, “I have to change my number.”
The Queen's Club tournament starts next Monday and the WTA said Williams will play “with a partner to be announced at a later date.”
The return to grass will fuel speculation that Williams plans to compete at Wimbledon, which starts on June 28. She has won seven singles titles at the All England Club.
Williams has not competed since her bye at the 2022 US Open. At the time, Williams said she didn't want to use the word “retirement” and instead announced she was “stepping away” from tennis.
“Serena brought the game to another level and it's amazing in sports that she crosses the boundaries and comes back,” said Martina Navratilova, the oldest No. 1 to launch a comeback, aged 43, 10 months.
“For many young players, they have never had the opportunity to play him; maybe some have never seen him on TV so this will be something new and exciting,” said Navratilova.
Williams has won the Grand Slam 14 times
Williams, who has won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, became eligible to compete in February after re-enrolling in tennis's mandatory anti-drug program six months earlier – the first step back.
Four-time major winner Naomi Osaka, who beat Williams in the 2018 US Open final for her first major title, was excited by the prospect.
“It will bring people to watch tennis,” Osaka said Thursday at the French Open. “I'm going to be in the first game, for sure. I think a lot of people are. Everyone knows that Serena and Venus were my role models growing up, so it will be good to see her back on the court.”
Williams recently posted a video on Instagram showing herself training on the hard court with her daughter: “Rumor has it that I got a new coach,” Williams said in the post.
Williams' second daughter was born in 2023.
When it emerged last year that Williams had signed up for a return to drug testing, she wrote on social media: “Omg yall I'm NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”
Williams' older sister, Venus, still plays occasionally at age 45.
Gauff never played Williams
“One of my biggest regrets is not being able to play him,” French Open champion Coco Gauff said in Paris. “It would be great if this game had a legend playing it.”
American player, Iva Jovic, 18, also sounded happy.
“I think it's amazing. It's really cool,” he said. “I've never seen Serena in real life. Obviously I grew up watching her. Throughout my childhood she dominated tennis, so it's going to be amazing.”
Like Osaka, he thinks it will improve tennis in general.
“It will be in the headlines a lot and it's something people will talk about,” said Jovic.
Added another American player Madison Keys, “Serena Williams playing tennis is only good for tennis. Let's be real. We all want to watch Serena play tennis.
“I mean, you get to watch history every time you go to court,” Keys added. “So why don't you watch more?”
WTA chairman Valerie Camillo said “Serena is one of the greatest athletes of all time, whose history extends beyond the court.
“His return is a reflection of his love of competition and I can't wait to see him face the new generation of top players,” added Camillo. “Serena is not just a great champion. She is a successful entrepreneur, a strong advocate for important issues – and one of the most outstanding women in the world. We are thrilled to welcome her to the WTA Tour at this exciting time for women's tennis.”
