Serena Williams is returning to tennis -- what doe...
Key takeaways
- The 23-time major champion confirmed her comeback last week following months of speculation, after reentering the International Tennis Integrity Agency's (ITIA) drug-testing pool, a requirement in order to compete again.
- Williams, 44, had initially denied a return -- "Omg yall I'm NOT coming back," she posted in December -- but made her reveal in a coordinated effort on social media with Nike and the tournament on Monday.
- "Queen's Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter," Williams said in an announcement, sent from the tournament.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Serena Williams has announced that she will return to tennis at the HSBC Championships, which begin on Monday. EPA/JASON SZENESD'Arcy Maine Multiple Authors Jun 6, 2026, 03:20 PM ETEmail Print Open Extended Reactions After nearly a four-year absence from the WTA Tour, Serena Williams officially makes her return to tennis next week at the HSBC Championships, held at Queen's Club in London.
The 23-time major champion confirmed her comeback last week following months of speculation, after reentering the International Tennis Integrity Agency's (ITIA) drug-testing pool, a requirement in order to compete again.
Williams, 44, had initially denied a return -- "Omg yall I'm NOT coming back," she posted in December -- but made her reveal in a coordinated effort on social media with Nike and the tournament on Monday.