Serena Williams, 44, to return to action in Queen's doubles

Tennis legend Serena Williams, 44, is set to make a competitive comeback after an absence of nearly four years. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion will participate in the women's doubles at Queen's Club later this month, having received a wildcard for the tournament which commences on June 8.

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Guess everybody heard the news

While her doubles partner has not been officially confirmed, speculation points towards Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko. Williams, who officially "evolved away" from the sport in 2022 after a 27-year career, has been the subject of return rumors for some time. Her name appeared on the list of players registered for the drug-testing pool last year, and was subsequently included on the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) reinstatements list in February.

Williams herself fueled the speculation by sharing a video on social media captioned "Guess everybody heard the news," accompanied by the phrase "Good news travels fast." She expressed her excitement about returning, stating, "Queen's Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter. Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career and I'm excited to be back competing on one of the sport's most iconic stages."

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Good news travels fast.

The 196-week hiatus since her last appearance at the 2022 US Open marks a significant return for one of the sport's most influential figures. Beyond her on-court achievements, Williams has transcended her sport, drawing massive crowds throughout her career. Her return also comes after she publicly discussed her weight loss journey, shedding 31lb (14kg) over eight months and becoming a spokesperson for Ro, a company involved in weight-loss programs and medications.

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Queen's Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter. Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career and I'm excited to be back competing on one of the sport's most iconic stages.