The legendary Serena Williams made her long-awaited return to the court at the Queens’ Club championships on Tuesday alongside doubles partner Victoria Mboko, to a warm reception as fans of the sport turned up in hoards to witness the Queen’s comeback.
The 44-year-old Williams, last competed professionally in the third round of the 2022 US Open, partnered up with Canadian Mboko, after completing a six-month period in the anti-doping testing pool.
Serena returned to the match court four years, 1376 days to be exact, as tennis faithful turned up in numbers to witness the American icon’s return.
The moment has arrived ✨@serenawilliams steps back on court to play doubles with Victoria Mboko!#HSBCChampionships pic.twitter.com/Ua3fzuMgI3
— wta (@WTA)
June 9, 2026
In the lead up to her return the legend revealed that her decisions revolved largely around her family stating,“It’s really about the kids seeing me play. Olympia is a little bit older, Adira is very young. It’s components like that.”
“It’s important that I keep reminding myself of that because I don’t have anything to prove, I don’t have anything to lose and everything here is just a gain,” she said on Sunday.
Though she initially dismissed the notion of a comeback, the icon re-entered the anti-doping testing pool in December and has since regained her eligibility.
By January, she was no longer ruling out a return, remarking, “I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now.”
“Did I re-enter? I didn’t know if I was out. Listen, I can’t discuss this,” the American quipped when questioned about her status in the anti-doping pool.
The legendary American has secured 7 Australian Open titles, 3 French Open titles, 7 Wimbledon crowns, and 6 US Open titles, cementing her status as the most decorated woman in the sport.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Canadian prospect Mboko, who made her breakthrough with a home triumph in 2025, now has the opportunity to share the court with one of the most iconic figures in tennis history—a moment she is sure to treasure as she seeks to build early momentum in her career.
