Serena Williams returns to tennis at 44 after nearly four seasons away | OneFootball

Women’s tennis will once again have one of its biggest stars back in competition. Serena Williams confirmed her return to the professional circuit at age 44 after an extended break that began following the 2022 US Open. The American will take part in the Queen’s doubles tournament thanks to a special invitation granted by the organizers.

The news was announced this Monday by the WTA, which officially confirmed the presence of the 23-time Grand Slam champion at the traditional London event. The tournament will begin on June 8 and serves as one of the main warm-up stops for Wimbledon.

The former world No. 1 had not played an official match since her farewell in New York. On that occasion, she avoided referring to it as a definitive retirement and explained that she was “evolving” toward a new stage away from professional competition.

At the same time as the tour’s announcement, the British Tennis Federation shared a message celebrating the historic champion’s return: “Serena Williams is back. The legend will return to tennis in the doubles event at the HSBC Championships.”

The American’s career places her among the greatest players of all time. She spent 319 weeks at the top of the world rankings, won 73 singles titles, and completed the so-called Serena Slam by winning all four Grand Slam tournaments consecutively in two different periods: between 2002 and 2003, and again between 2014 and 2015.

She also left an unforgettable mark on the Olympic Games. She won four gold medals, one in singles and three in doubles alongside Venus Williams, cementing a historic partnership in the sport.

Her impact went far beyond the results on the court. The power of her game, her mental toughness, and her ability to attract new audiences transformed modern tennis. In addition, she became a global figure associated with equality, diversity, and women’s empowerment.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.