The GOAT is making a comeback!
According to ESPN, Serena Williams is returning to tennis after nearly four years away from the sport at 44 years old.
In an announcement on Monday June, 1st, Williams revealed that she will be competing in a doubles match at the HSBC Championships, which is a 500-level event held at Queen’s Club in London.
”Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter,” Williams said. “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.”
Also taking to Instagram, Williams confirmed her official return to the game with a post:
“Good news travels fast,” her caption read.
Valerie Camillo, chair of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), also expressed her excitement about Williams’ return. In a statement, Camillo called Williams “one of the greatest athletes of all time” whose influence extends far beyond the tennis court. She praised the 23-time Grand Slam champion’s enduring passion for competition while highlighting her impact as an entrepreneur, advocate and cultural icon. “We are thrilled to welcome her back to the WTA Tour at this hugely exciting moment for women’s tennis.”
Widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time, Williams was a catalyst who helped to revolutionize the sport of tennis. With her combination of undeniable power, otherworldly athleticism, and mental acuity, she was hailed as the best test tennis player ever by fans and tennis experts alike.
Born in Compton, California, under the coaching of her parents, Williams turned professional at just 14 years old and went on to dominate the sport for almost three decades. Over the course of her remarkable career, Williams captured 23 Grand Slam singles titles—the most of any player in the Open Era. She also spent 319 weeks ranked as the world No. 1. Alongside her older sister Venus, she also ushered in a new era of style and diversity in tennis, winning 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and four Olympic gold medals together.
Off the court, Williams has built an equally impressive business portfolio, with an estimated net worth of roughly $350 million. Along with her multimedia production house, Nine Two Six Productions, she holds stakes in several sports franchises, including the Miami Dolphins, the NWSL’s Angel City FC, and the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo.
For many Black fans, Williams’ return represents more than another chapter in an already historic career. Alongside her sister Venus, she transformed perceptions of who belongs in tennis, opening doors for a new generation of players while redefining athletic excellence, style and visibility on a global stage.
The HSBC Championships begin Monday, June 8.