Serena Williams returns to professional tennis at age 44, entering the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club as a wild-card doubles entry alongside Victoria Mboko. According to USA Today, the pair will face No. 3 seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe in their opening match, marking Williams’ first competitive appearance since the 2022 U.S. Open.
Why is Serena Williams choosing Queen’s Club for her return?
Williams selected the grass-court event as her comeback stage due to the surface’s historical significance to her career. As reported by USA Today, Williams noted, “Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career, and I’m excited to be back competing on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.” With 23 Grand Slam titles to her name, seven of which were won at Wimbledon, the Queen’s Club tournament serves as a strategic tune-up for the grass-court season.
Serena Williams has amassed $94,816,730 in career prize money, ranking first all-time in earnings, according to Wikipedia.
What challenges do Williams and Mboko face in their debut?
The duo faces a difficult opening test against Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe. While Melichar-Martinez and Routliffe are a new partnership, their individual pedigrees are substantial. Routliffe is a former doubles World No. 1 with two Grand Slam titles, while Melichar-Martinez has secured 19 WTA doubles titles and a Wimbledon mixed doubles crown. This match-up highlights the depth of the field at the HSBC Championships, which runs from June 8 through June 14.
How does the current field shape up for the tournament?
The draw features a mix of veteran talent and emerging stars. The singles field is headlined by top seed Elena Rybakina and includes 2025 Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova, as well as rising talent Victoria Mboko. According to the tournament draw, other notable names like Belinda Bencic, Leylah Fernandez, and Emma Raducanu are also competing, creating a competitive environment for Williams’ return.
Watch the first-round match between Marta Kostyuk and wildcard Mika Stojsavljevic. Kostyuk enters the grass season after a strong clay-court run, while Stojsavljevic is a 17-year-old talent who won the 2024 US Open junior title.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the HSBC Championships tournament take place?
The tournament is scheduled for June 8–21, 2026. The women’s competition, which includes Williams, begins on June 8 and concludes on June 14.
Who is Serena Williams playing with?
Williams is competing in doubles with 19-year-old Canadian player Victoria Mboko, who is currently ranked No. 9 in the world in singles.
Is Serena Williams playing Wimbledon?
According to USA Today, Williams has not yet confirmed her participation in Wimbledon, though she is using the Queen’s Club tournament as a preparation event.
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