Serena Williams Announces Return to Tennis in New Video, 1st Event Back Revealed

The months of speculation proved to be true.

Serena Williams and the HSBC Championships announced she's returning to competitive tennis for the tournament's doubles competition.

Tennis writer Ben Rothenberg reported Sunday that an official declaration on Williams' playing status was imminent. The HSBC Championships isn't expected to be a one-off, either.

Rothenberg reported the 23-time Grand Slam champion is "mapping out a return to tour immediately after the French Open, first on grass and then continuing onto American hard courts."

Rothenberg first reported last December that Williams was planning a 2026 comeback, which she quickly refuted.

Still, it was hard to square why the 44-year-old returned to the drug-testing pool and subjected herself to the necessary requirements if she didn't want to compete again.

Williams' last appearance was in the 2022 U.S. Open, where she advanced to the third round before losing to Ajla Tomljanovic in three sets.

Given both her age and long layoff, it's fair to ask what kind of state Williams' game will be in. Her last Grand Slam win was in the 2017 Australian Open, and the 2019 U.S. Open was her last Grand Slam final appearance.

Even the greatest player of the modern era couldn't fend off the aging curve forever, and now she's four years older than when she took the court in Flushing Meadows.

Doubles at least presents Williams with a more gradual adjustment to high-level tennis. Depending on how she performs, a return to singles play could follow.