Serena Williams has not played since a third-round loss at the 2022 US Open. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Serena Williams is expected to make a surprise return to tennis, after media reports claimed the American great could play doubles at the Queen’s tournament in London next month.

The 44-year-old has not played since a third-round loss at the 2022 US Open left her one short of the all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, jointly held by Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic.

She said at the time she did not want to use the word “retiring” but instead explained she was “evolving” away from tennis.

Williams fuelled rumours she could be planning a comeback after registering with the sport’s drug-testing body last December.

At the time she denied she was planning a return to competitive tennis by posting on social media: “Omg yall, I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”

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The Served podcast, hosted by former men’s world number one Andy Roddick, on Thursday said Williams was set to play with Canadian rising star Victoria Mboko in the doubles at Queen’s, which starts on June 8.

Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka said she would be “entertained” by Serena’s comeback.

“I don’t really care about tennis. I think it’s good for me. I’ll be very entertained,” said Osaka at the French Open when asked if she would watch a comeback match from Serena.

“But I mean, overall the scope of it, I think it will bring people to watch tennis, which she always does bring an audience with her.

With inputs from AFP

Published on May 28, 2026