Serena Williams confirmed June 1, 2024, that she is returning to professional tennis to play doubles at the Queen’s Club Championships [1, 2].
The return of Williams marks the comeback of one of the most successful athletes in sports history after an absence of approximately four years [1]. Her participation in the HSBC Championships brings a high-profile presence back to the grass-court circuit.
Williams, who is 44 years old [2], accepted a wild-card entry for the doubles event in London [2]. The decision to return to the professional game follows several years away from the tour.
"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" [3].
In a separate statement, Williams said she was thrilled to accept the wild-card and play doubles at a venue that has always been special to her [2]. The official X account for the HSBC Championships announced the news by stating that the "queen returns" and is set for doubles competition [3].
While Williams is confirmed for doubles at the Queen's Club, reports vary regarding her future schedule. Some sources indicate she may potentially compete in singles at Wimbledon, though other reports only mention the doubles commitment at Queen's Club [1, 2].
Williams said that the venue in London serves as an ideal starting point for this stage of her career [3]. The return to grass courts allows her to compete on a surface where she achieved significant career milestones [3].
“"Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter."”
Williams' return at age 44 challenges conventional expectations regarding athletic longevity in professional tennis. By choosing a doubles format and a grass-court venue, she is leveraging a specialized skill set and a familiar environment to transition back into high-level competition, potentially serving as a precursor to a larger comeback including Grand Slam singles events.
