Serena Williams returns to tennis on her own terms: by winning

Serena Williams is back on the tennis court, returning to professional play nearly four years after her last match. The 44-year-old champion, who has amassed 23 Grand Slam titles, last competed on September 2, 2022, leaving the door open for a comeback with an enigmatic statement about "evolution" rather than retirement.

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I don't know... I'm not sure if this has been my last moment [on the courts] or not.

Williams, who boasts an estimated fortune of 300 million euros according to Forbes, is not returning for financial reasons. Her motivation appears to be a desire to have fun and see what happens, as she discussed with journalists at Queen's. This comeback, occurring 1,375 days after her previous appearance, has generated significant anticipation, befitting a figure who profoundly reshaped the sport.

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It has been fun.

She made her return at the Queen's Club in London, partnering with young player Victoria Mboko. Williams, who has reportedly lost 15 kilograms and dyed her hair blonde, showed flashes of her old form with powerful serves exceeding 180 km/h. While her maneuvers may lack the fluidity of her prime after a long break, her focus and competitive appetite remain evident.

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In December I was chatting with some people about the possibility of doing something different, and in the end I thought, why not? It's time to go out there, have fun, and see what happens.

Williams and Mboko defeated the third-seeded pair, Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe, with a score of 7-6(2), 6-2. The tournament itself marked a significant event, as it had not hosted a women's match in over half a century, since 1974. Williams' return is seen as an inspiration, particularly to younger players like Mboko, who cited Williams' fighting spirit as a key source of her own competitive drive.

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She sent me a message while I was playing in Strasbourg... And I replied: Of course!