Serena Williams is set to make her return to professional tennis at the age of 44, participating in the doubles event at the HSBC Championships in London, starting June 8th.

The return follows almost a hiatus since her last match at the 2022 US Open.

Williams confirmed her participation via a Nike social media video, hinting at her return with the message “Guess everybody heard the news,” shortly before the tournament announced her entry as a wildcard.

She is expected to partner with 19-year-old Canadian rising star Victoria Mboko in the doubles event, although tournament organizers have yet to officially confirm their partnership.

Speculation about Williams’ comeback intensified after she rejoined the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s drug-testing pool in December, which is a necessary step for athletes planning a return to competition.

Prior to confirming her return, Williams referenced her “evolution away from tennis,” suggesting she had not officially retired but had focused on personal priorities, including motherhood, after giving birth to her second child in August 2023.