Article by Roxana Fleşeru – Published on Sunday, 07 June 2026 21:37 / Updated on Sunday, 07 June 2026 23:36
Serena Williams (44 years old) will play doubles next week with Victoria Mboko at the tournament in London. The former world leader offered some clarifications about his return, after a four-year break.
Serena Williams, winner of 23 Grand Slam titles in singles and 14 in doubles, will return to the women's circuit next week. The former world leader will perform alongside Victoria Mboko in doubles, in the WTA 500 tournament in London, played on grass.
The American, mother of two daughters, attended a press conference on Sunday where she talked about this surprise return. Asked why she had denied in December that she was coming back after it was revealed she had re-entered the anti-doping testing list, she replied: “I really wasn't going to come back then. Then I started talking to certain people and talking about different possibilities, about having fun and doing something a little different. We kept talking and at some point I thought, 'Why not?'. I don't have a better explanation than that.”.
Serena Williams at Sunday's conference PHOTO Imago Images
Serena Williams was asked to describe how her family received this decision. “Everyone was with me. At the same time, everyone asked me: “What are you thinking about?”. And I said: “It's summer, the kids aren't in school, so it's the perfect time to go out on the court, have fun and see what's going on”, revealed the one who collected 319 weeks on the first place in the WTA hierarchy.
In this whole experience I try not to put pressure on myself. I've had enough pressure throughout my career. Right now, it's about a lot of things. It's about my kids and getting to see me play. Olympia is already bigger and Adira is still very small, but there are special moments – Serena Williams
She said she wanted to come back so her girls could see her play. “Also, as an athlete, being at the highest level is one of the most beautiful things that you can experience. The fact that I could have the chance to do that one more time is very exciting and exciting,” the American emphasized.
Serena Williams on the grass in London PHOTO Imago Images
Serena Willimas: “I have nothing to prove. I have nothing to lose”
Asked if she would also play singles, Serena said: “I can't say yes or no. Right now, the answer is more of a no. I think I should train more if I want to play singles. We'll see if I get there. If not, then it's just not my path right now.”
I missed the atmosphere the most. You don't realize how much you love certain things, including travel, which I love. It's interesting, because I've done this practically my whole life. I don't even remember when I started. And when you stop doing something you've been doing for as long as you know yourself, you come to take it for granted. Now I can experience things in a different way, in a way that I didn't have the opportunity to before. And I can do it with my family, having a whole new experience – Serena Williams
What was it like to come back to a tournament, how did he feel he was doing on court? “It's like riding a bike. Yeah, I feel good. I've had two practices with Vicky and I've felt a lot better from behind the court. In fact, I've felt better in all aspects of the game. So yeah, it's like riding a bike … only you're going up a hill. But I'm enjoying the ride.”
VIDEO. Serena Williams press conference
The American concluded: “I don't need to win. I've earned more than most people in a lifetime. I have nothing to prove. I have nothing to lose. Everything I do now is just a bonus.”
