Tennis journalist John Wertheim reports that Serena Williams is expected to make her competitive return at Queen's Club during the grass-court season, playing doubles with a top-10 player. The 23-time Grand Slam champion last competed in September 2022 at the US Open, when she announced she would "evolve away from tennis" to focus on family and business ventures.
What has changed since 2022?
Williams entered the International Tennis Integrity Agency's Registered Testing Pool in late 2025, a requirement that mandates players make themselves available for anti-doping tests at least six months before competing professionally. She received clearance from the ITIA on 22 February 2026, removing a significant administrative barrier to her return.
Why the comeback chatter now?
According to Wertheim on the Served With Andy Roddick podcast, Williams has submitted multiple wildcard requests for grass-court tournaments, signalling active pursuit of events rather than passive offers from organisers. Wertheim indicated the return is imminent, describing the comeback as "only a couple of weeks away" and noting that speculation has "picked up steam" in recent weeks.
What comes next?
The grass-court season, which includes Queen's Club, typically runs in June. If Williams does compete, it would mark her first professional match in nearly four years.