Serena Williams insists she has “nothing to prove” as she returns to competitive tennis at Queen’s this week with new doubles partner Victoria Mboko, while refusing to commit on a possible singles comeback before Wimbledon speculation.
Serena Williams stepped into her comeback with a line that sounded almost impossible from the woman who spent years chasing championships and headlines. In an interview on Sunday afternoon, the 44-year-old made it clear she isn’t treating this return like a verdict on her legacy.
“I don’t need to win,” Williams said. “I’ve won more than most people have in their whole lives. so for me it’s that is not important to me. and it’s important that I keep reminding myself of that. because I don’t have anything to prove. I don’t have anything to lose. and everything here is just just a game.”.
This week, Williams will make her competitive return at Queen’s. Her appearance will be in doubles, alongside her new partner, Victoria Mboko. The 23-time Grand Slam champion framed the decision around family first, saying she wants her children to see her play. She also pointed to the start of the grass season and suggested the timing of her children’s school holidays played a role in bringing her back.
Williams spoke about missing the atmosphere of the tour and wanting a “different experience” of its buzz with her family along for the ride. Even so, the questions that follow a comeback—especially one carrying a Wimbledon-shaped shadow—were there. Speculation has continued about the possibility of a Wimbledon wildcard, and with it, a potential singles return.
Williams, however, refused to be pulled into committing to anything in the near future. “This whole journey, I’m putting no pressure on myself,” she said. “I’ve had enough pressure. (Being) an athlete is the best thing you can be. in the highest place. and having an opportunity to still be able to possibly do that one last time is cool and exciting.”.
She added: “I feel like I probably need to train a little bit more if I want to play singles, and we’ll see if I get there, and if not, that’s not my journey right now.”
The mood on court earlier in the day matched her tone. During practice with Mboko, Williams compared the session to “like riding a bike – up a hill”. There were laughs and high-fives between points as the pair tried to build rapport before tournament action begins.
Mboko, for her part, sounded both impressed and unflustered by the moment. “She’s hitting great,” she said. “I think she has such clean ball striking.” Mboko also suggested the return of timing would come naturally: “She could probably take like years off. and once she steps on the court. she could probably find that rhythm again. and find her timing.” Mboko went further. calling it a gift: “I think that’s really a god-given gift she has. and I personally think she’s ready to go.”.
Williams’ partner even found room for personal warmth, describing her as “a really funny girl”. And for all the talk of record-breaking careers and what might come next, the ease of their session left Mboko in awe.
Their tournament begins on Tuesday, weather permitting, and competitive action will decide how quickly the partnership gels under pressure. For now, the broader draw carries its own kind of charge: the sight of a sporting icon back among the players.
British No 1 Emma Raducanu captured that feeling plainly. “I think it’s an amazing inspiration. and I think for all of us to see her around is a really cool thing. ” she said. Raducanu added: “She’s the greatest female tennis player of all time. and it’s just amazing to have her around and part of the part of the tour again.”.
For Williams, though, the point isn’t to silence speculation or chase certainty. It’s to remind herself, one match at a time, that this—whether it stays doubles or drifts toward singles later—can still simply be “just just a game.”
Serena Williams Queen's tennis Victoria Mboko doubles comeback Emma Raducanu Wimbledon wildcard speculation grass season 23-time Grand Slam champion
So she’s back… but in doubles? lol ok
“I don’t need to win” sounds like she’s just tired and they’re pretending it’s confidence. But honestly good for her I guess. Still wondering if Wimbledon is gonna happen or is she gonna chicken out of singles again.
Wait Victoria Mboko? Is that like her daughter or something? Cuz it says family first and school holidays, so I assumed the new partner is connected to her kids. If she wants her kids to see her play, why not just singles where she’s the main star? I’m confused.
Doubles is “competitive tennis” now?? I mean she’s Serena, of course she can play, but people act like she’s doing this huge comeback like it’s not easier than singles. The Wimbledon wildcard talk—she’s probably just staying vague so nobody can blame her if it doesn’t work. Also 44 is crazy, she must’ve been holding up tournaments with pure vibes all these years.