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.
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