Serena Williams is Back – 23x Grand Slam Winner to Return at Queen’s Club

It’s the sports story nobody saw coming – and yet, somehow, feels completely inevitable. Serena Williams, 44 years old and nearly four years removed from professional tennis, is back. And her highly anticipated return to the court is happening right here in London, at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club, starting 8th June, 2026.

If you’re a tennis fan, or frankly just a fan of sport in general, this is one of those rare moments you’ll want to be there for in person.

From “Evolution” to Comeback

Cast your mind back to September 2022. Serena Williams walked off the court at the US Open after a third-round defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic and, in typical Serena fashion, refused to say the word “retirement.” Instead, she spoke of “evolving away” from tennis – leaving the door deliberately ajar.

In the years that followed, she welcomed the birth of her second child, built her own venture capital firm, and largely stayed away from the game she had dominated for over two decades. Then, last December, her name quietly reappeared in tennis’ anti-doping testing pool – a mandatory six-month prerequisite to returning to competition. The rumour mill went into overdrive. Williams herself posted on X:

“Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy-” (Source: @serenawilliams on X).

But in a January appearance on the Today show, when given the chance to put speculation to bed once and for all, she simply laughed and said:

“If I want to put it to bed… Listen, I want to go to bed – it’s early.”

That was about as close to a wink-and-a-nod as you were ever going to get from Serena Williams.
On 1st June 2026, it became official. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion will compete in the women’s doubles at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club, partnering 19-year-old Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko.

Serena Williams talks about a New Super Bowl Ad and Possible Return to Tennis on TODAY (January 2026). Click here to play the full video.

In a statement on the LTA website, Williams confirmed:

“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.”

Why Now?

The timing makes a lot of sense when you look at the full picture. Williams’ Grand Slam tally of 23 singles titles sits tantalisingly just one behind the all-time record of 24, jointly held by Novak Djokovic and Margaret Court. She has made no secret of her desire to chase that record down. As she told Vogue back in 2022:

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want [Court’s] record.”

Serena Williams is eyeing up yet another record.

At 44, the window to make another run at history is closing. Her older sister, Venus, now 45, returned from a 16-month absence last year and showed that the competitive fire is still very much there. Watching that will only have added fuel to the flame. And with her children now aged eight and two, perhaps this finally feels like the right moment – one last push before the door closes for good.

There’s also the matter of her fitness. Williams has spoken openly about the benefits of GLP-1 medication and has described herself as moving and feeling better than she has in years. As she said in a Super Bowl LX commercial for telehealth company Ro: she is “moving better” and “feeling better.” Whether on-court fitness translates to competitive tennis at the highest level remains to be seen – but this is Serena Williams. She has always done things her way, on her own terms.

A Partnership with a 26-Year Age Gap

Williams’ doubles partner, Victoria Mboko, is quite the story in herself. At just 19 years old and ranked world number nine, the Canadian prodigy is already one of the most exciting young players on the WTA Tour.

Serena Williams and Victoria Mboko will play Doubles at the HSBC Championships.

The pair have a relationship that goes beyond tennis – Mboko has described staying in touch with Williams over the years and says simply: “She’s my idol, so it’s really cool.” Their partnership spans a 26-year age gap; Williams won her first Grand Slam title in 1999, seven years before Mboko was even born.

On the prospect of playing Wimbledon, speculation is rife. The wild card meeting for Wimbledon takes place on 15th June, and as former British number one Tim Henman put it on Sky Sports:

“If she’s going to play at Queen’s, then you would have thought that the motivation is to get ready for Wimbledon.”

This Is a Once-in-a-Generation Moment

It’s hard to overstate just what Serena Williams means to sport. A record 73 singles titles. Nearly $95 million in prize money. Seven Wimbledon championships. And a cultural impact on tennis – and sport at large – that goes far beyond what any of those numbers can capture. This isn’t just a tennis comeback; it’s a seismic sporting event.

Queen’s Club, starting 8th June 2026, is where that story begins its next chapter. Don’t miss it.

Witness Serena Williams’ Return to Tennis with Premium Hospitality at Queen’s Club! 🎾

Corinthian Sports is an authorised reseller for the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club – and with Serena Williams back on the grass, this is going to be a complete sell-out. Whether you’re a die-hard tennis fan or simply want to be part of one of the biggest sporting moments of the year, we have a range of premium hospitality packages to make your day truly unforgettable.

Our packages include a variety of options to suit every group and occasion, with highlights including:

• Seasonal three-course lunches and afternoon tea
• Complimentary bars – Pimm’s, Champagne, spirits, wines, beers and soft drinks throughout the day
• Official Centre Court tickets – from East Stand to Premium South/North Stand padded seats
• Private terrace and garden access – overlooking the courts and practice areas
• Live music and DJ entertainment
• Q&A sessions with tennis personalities
• VIP hospitality entrances and exclusive room access within the historic Queen’s Clubhouse
• Private dining tables for groups of all sizes

From the relaxed, casual atmosphere of the Love Fifteen package to the fine dining five-course taster experience of the Club Lounge, or the iconic balcony seating of the Presidents Room overlooking Centre Court – there’s something for everyone.

Experience the biggest tennis moment of the year in style! Enquire now.