Serena Williams returned to competitive tennis in doubles at Queen's Club in London, partnering Victoria Mboko in what multiple outlets reported was her first match in nearly four years.
Serena Williams returned to competitive tennis on Tuesday, playing a doubles match at Queen's Club in London in what multiple outlets reported was her first match in nearly four years.
Williams partnered Victoria Mboko against Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe in the opening-round match.
The appearance marked the latest step in a comeback that had been building for months. The Guardian reported in December 2025 that Williams had re-entered the ITIA registered testing pool, a required step for a return to competition after retirement. A report in February 2026 said she had completed the six-month testing requirement and was eligible to return.
The Queen's Club match is the first confirmed competitive appearance tied to that return. At least one outlet has also reported that Williams is scheduled for another doubles appearance at the Berlin Open next week, though that has not yet been independently confirmed in the same way as Tuesday's match.
Williams, one of the most decorated players in tennis history, had not played a competitive match since the 2022 US Open before this comeback appeared to begin in London.
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