By Prosper Mene
Nearly four years after her emotional farewell at the 2022 US Open, 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams is returning to professional tennis. The 44-year-old American icon will make her comeback in women’s doubles alongside Congolese-Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club, beginning June 8, 2026.
The pairing, confirmed by Mboko on social media Thursday, has sent waves of excitement through the tennis world. Mboko, the 19-year-old world No. 9 and 2025 WTA Newcomer of the Year, posted a courtside photo with Williams alongside the caption: “The Queen is back. 👑 An honor to share the court with one of the greatest athletes of all time this week. Even more excited to play doubles together! Tennis is pretty special.”
Williams, who has won seven Wimbledon singles titles, accepted a wild card into the grass-court event as preparation for a potential return to the All England Club later this summer. The duo will compete as wild-card entries in the 16-team doubles draw.
For Mboko, a Burlington, Ontario native who has rapidly climbed the rankings, the opportunity to partner with her idol is a dream come true. “The fact that she even knows me is very exciting,” Mboko said in earlier comments addressing rumors of the pairing.
Williams last competed at the 2022 US Open, where she was eliminated in the third round. Since stepping away to focus on family and other ventures, she has occasionally teased fans with hints of a return. Her first practice sessions on the grass at Queen’s Club have already drawn significant attention, with behind-the-scenes footage showing her rallying alongside Mboko.
Tennis fans and fellow players have reacted with enthusiasm to the news. The generational pairing pits one of the sport’s all-time greats against the next wave of talent, promising compelling matches and major crowd draw at the prestigious pre-Wimbledon tournament.
