Serena Williams Returns to Tennis: Everything We Know About Her Comeback at the HSBC Championships
Four years after her final appearance at the 2022 U.S. Open, 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams is returning to professional tennis. Williams officially announced her comeback on June 1, 2026, and is set to compete in the doubles draw at the HSBC Championships, a 500-level event held at The Queen’s Club in London. According to the tournament schedule, the event runs from June 8 to June 21, 2026.
Who is Serena Williams partnering with at Queen’s Club?
Williams is teaming up with 19-year-old Canadian standout Victoria Mboko for the tournament. Mboko, who currently holds a singles ranking of world No. 9, has expressed her excitement about the partnership. “The fact that she even knows me is very, it’s very exciting,” Mboko said, noting that she has stayed in touch with the tennis icon. Mboko, a two-time WTA title winner, recently competed at the French Open, where she reached the third round before falling to American Madison Keys.
When does the tournament begin?
The women’s draw at the HSBC Championships kicks off on June 8, 2026. Following the official doubles draw held on June 6, 2026, it was confirmed that Williams and Mboko will face the team of Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe. Their opening match is scheduled for either June 8 or June 9, 2026. The tournament serves as a high-profile return to grass courts for Williams, who noted that the surface has provided some of the most meaningful moments of her career.
Why did Williams choose this event for her return?
The choice of The Queen’s Club is deliberate. Williams, who secured seven of her 23 Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon, emphasized her affinity for grass courts when explaining her decision to return. “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,” Williams stated in an official announcement from the tournament. While Williams has not confirmed whether she will participate in Wimbledon, the HSBC Championships act as a significant tune-up for the upcoming major.
What has the tennis community said about her comeback?
The WTA has formally welcomed Williams back to the professional tour. WTA chair Valerie Camillo praised the move, describing Williams’ return as an “expression of her passion for competition.” In a statement, Camillo noted, “Serena is one of the greatest athletes of all-time, with a legacy that extends far beyond the court. I cannot wait to see her face a new generation of top players.”
Key Facts About the Return
- Tournament: HSBC Championships (Queen’s Club, London).
- Dates: June 8–21, 2026.
- Partner: Victoria Mboko, world No. 9 singles player.
- First Opponents: Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe.
- Last Competitive Appearance: 2022 U.S. Open.
As the tennis world turns its attention to London, the focus remains on how Williams will fare against a new generation of competitors. With the doubles draw finalized and the tournament underway, the upcoming matches will provide the first look at the 44-year-old legend’s form since her retirement announcement four years ago.