Serena Williams could be set for a sensational return to professional tennis at Queen's next month, sparking the potential of a Wimbledon comeback. Speculation that the 23-time Grand Slam champion might make her comeback, four years on from her emotional exit at the US Open, was rife overnight amid claims the 44-year-old has submitted 'multiple wildcard requests' for the grass-court season.
Wildcard Requests Submitted
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) is yet to comment, but the belief is that Williams has asked for a wildcard to play alongside teenage Canadian star Victoria Mboko in the women's doubles at Queen's. The seven-time Wimbledon champion has not featured at the All England Club since 2022, where she was knocked out in the first round. Daily Mail Sport has approached Wimbledon for comment.
Previous Denials and Hints
Williams re-entered tennis's anti-doping pool last year, which led to anticipation she was considering a return, though she shut it down on social media at the time saying: 'Omg y'all I'm NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy' only to offer a vaguer response when asked on the Today show in January. 'That's not a yes or no. I don't know. I'm just going to see what happens,' she said.
Since retiring from tennis, Williams has been a regular at celebrity events, including the Met Gala earlier this month in New York.
Journalist's Claims Fuel Speculation
Jon Wertheim, the respected journalist and co-host of Andy Roddick's Served podcast, got tongues wagging overnight. 'I have heard there have been multiple wildcard requests for grass court season,' said Wertheim. 'She is putting in the requests. This is all being done with such weird cloak and dagger and denials and secrecy and the truth is this is awesome. Maybe it's not anything that is going to pan out. But it does look like she will be playing the grass season. What I have heard is that she will be playing at Queen's Club doubles with Victoria Mboko.'
Mboko, the world number nine, plays her second-round clash with Katerina Siniakova on Thursday evening where she is expected to be quizzed about the potential union.
