Serena Williams is back in a professional tennis draw for the first time since the 2022 U.S. Open.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion is playing doubles at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in London, a WTA 500 grass-court tournament running from June 8 to June 14.
The WTA said Williams and Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko drew No. 3 seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe in the first round.
The match gives Williams her first professional appearance in nearly four years, but she has not announced a singles comeback or a Wimbledon run.
Williams Starts Her Return in Doubles
The LTA announced Williams’ Queen’s Club return on June 1, saying she received a wild card into the doubles draw. Williams called grass courts “so special” to her and said Queen’s Club felt like the right place to begin the next part of her career.
Williams last played professionally at the 2022 U.S. Open, where she described herself as “evolving away from tennis” rather than using a simple retirement label. People reported that she has not ruled out singles, but said she would need more training before making that decision.
Victoria Mboko Joins Her for the Queen’s Club Draw
Williams is partnering Victoria Mboko, the 19-year-old Canadian ranked No. 9 in singles. Reuters reported that Mboko confirmed the partnership after the pair received a wild card for the tournament.
The WTA said Williams and Mboko will open against Melichar-Martinez and Routliffe, the No. 3 seeds in the doubles draw. Their first-round match is scheduled for June 9.
U.S. Viewers Can Watch on Tennis Channel
The Hollywood Reporter reported that U.S. viewers can watch the HSBC Championships through Tennis Channel coverage and streaming services that carry the network.
The WTA’s tournament guide said U.K. coverage is on BBC platforms, with early-round matches on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer before later rounds move to BBC One and iPlayer. Daily order of play remains important because tennis match times can shift with earlier matches.
Williams Says Singles Is Not the Focus Yet
Williams said before the tournament that she is not returning because she needs another title. People reported that she said she has “nothing to prove” and is focused on the experience of competing again.
She is also entered in doubles at the Berlin Tennis Open, which begins June 15, according to the WTA. Her Wimbledon plans have not been confirmed.