Tennis great Serena Williams has confirmed her return to the sport after months of speculation.
Williams, who has not played since 2022, announced the news through a Nike promotional video carrying the tagline, "Guess everybody heard the news."
In a separate statement, she said, "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."
The 44-year-old will re-enter competition after receiving a wildcard into the doubles draw of the WTA 500 tournament in west London.
In her last match at the US Open, she famously described her departure from the sport as "evolving away" from tennis rather than officially retiring.
Good news travels fast. pic.twitter.com/R7x7EFPUJ8
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) June 1, 2026
Despite that statement, she remained on the retired players' list until last year.
Rumours of her return intensified after Williams rejoined the anti-doping testing pool in December, with reports suggesting that she has been training extensively in Florida.
Although her return will begin in doubles, Williams could transition back to singles competition in upcoming tournaments.
If she hopes to play singles at Wimbledon, where she has won seven titles, she faces a tight preparation schedule because of the short grass-court season.
Wimbledon is set to begin on June 29, just three weeks after the start of the Queen’s Club tournament.
At Queen’s Club in West Kensington, Williams will partner Canadian youngster Victoria Mboko in the doubles event.
Mboko, currently ranked No. 9 in the world, was asked about Williams during last week's French Open.
"I’m very happy. Me and Serena have stayed in touch, which is really, really nice because I really look up to her," Mboko said.
"The fact that she even knows me is very exciting. I want to let the moment be for her. If she’s ready to come back on her own terms, then it’s up to her to announce that."
Williams boasts one of the most decorated careers in tennis history.
She holds the women's Open Era record with 23 Grand Slam singles titles and has also won 14 Grand Slam doubles crowns alongside her sister Venus Williams, who remains active on tour and turns 46 this month.
She is the only player in tennis history to complete a Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles, winning all four Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal in each discipline.