Serena Williams has announced her return to professional tennis at age 44, stating that her primary goal is "just having fun." After a legendary career securing 23 Grand Slam singles titles, Williams emphasized that winning is no longer her priority.
Her competitive comeback begins at Queen’s Club, where she will compete in doubles alongside Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko. This marks her first appearance on court since retiring from the sport in 2022. While Williams has scheduled doubles matches in Berlin, her long-term plans remain unclear. When questioned about a potential return to singles competition, Williams remained non-committal, stating, "I can’t say yeah, I can’t say no. Right now, no."
Reflecting on her motivation, the mother of two daughters, Olympia and Adira, noted that she feels no pressure to prove herself. "I don’t need to win. I’ve won more than most people have in their whole lives," Williams said, adding that she views the experience as a gain with nothing to lose. She expressed a desire for her children to witness her playing and noted the excitement of experiencing elite athleticism one last time. Regarding singles, she acknowledged the need for more training, noting that the summer break provides a perfect opportunity to play without the constraints of the school year.
Williams and Mboko, the world No. 9 in singles, practiced together on Sunday ahead of their first-round doubles match against third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe, scheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday.
Williams explained that she chose to partner with Mboko because the teenager’s drive reminded her of her younger self. She noted that Mboko’s performance in Montreal impressed her, specifically her ability to maintain a winning attitude.
For Mboko, playing with her lifelong idol is a significant milestone. "Growing up, Serena has always been my idol," the Canadian remarked, noting the difference between watching Williams on television and interacting with her in person.
Read next
Stephen Bunting calls death threats and social media abuse ‘very hurtful’ as he addresses Luke Littler’s rise
Definitely," Stephen Bunting says, reflecting on whether the relentless effort required as a darts player on social media feels like a deal with the devil. Following Luke Littler, the prodigious teenage world champion, Bunting is darts' most heavily marketed figure. Yet over the past year, his success on
Bernie Ecclestone questioned after shotgun discovered on his private jet in Portugal
Bernie Ecclestone was detained in Portugal on Monday after customs authorities found an undocumented shotgun in his possession at Tires Aerodrome in Cascais. The incident was confirmed by CuriosityNews, which independently verified the matter with authorities.
The 95-year-old former Formula One chief’s private jet had just landed
49ers preseason: fake wide receivers and undercover stings make it the wildest ever?
The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers have arrived in Australia for this week's NFL season opener in Melbourne. While the flight duration from California to Victoria is approximately 16 hours for both squads, their paths to the season's beginning have been starkly contrasting.
The