Serena Williams has reopened the door to tennis at age 44 with a return that she says is driven less by results than by curiosity, enjoyment and family. In her first press conference since coming back, the 23-time Grand Slam champion answered the obvious question about her comeback with a simple response: “Why not?” Williams said that after initially not intending to return in December, conversations about different possibilities led her to reconsider the idea of competing again.
One clear motivation for Williams is her two daughters, Olympia, 8, and Adira, 2. She said she wants them to see what can be achieved through hard work and perseverance. Williams explained that being able to show her children that an athlete can still reach the highest level is “cool and exciting,” especially as she considers the possibility of competing “one last time.”
Williams is beginning this chapter in doubles at Queen’s, where she has chosen Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko as her partner. Mboko, 19, said she was thrilled to accept the invitation after receiving the message while competing in Strasbourg. She called the opportunity unforgettable and said Williams was surprisingly personable, relatable and funny in person. The pair will face Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe in the opening round.
For Mboko, the partnership is both surreal and educational. She grew up watching Williams dominate the sport and remembered seeing her win the 2012 US Open when she was six years old. Williams, meanwhile, first noticed Mboko after her breakout Montreal title run last August, when the young Canadian beat Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Naomi Osaka. Williams said she was impressed not only by Mboko’s talent but by her attitude and her ability to keep winning after one big breakthrough, something Williams said reminded her of herself.
The comeback has also sparked plenty of curiosity about whether Williams might eventually play singles again. She declined to rule it in or out, saying that singles is not her focus right now and that she would need more training before considering it. At the moment, she said, she is focused on doubles and on seeing how her body responds.
Williams admitted her timing is still improving, describing the feeling as similar to riding a bike “up a hill,” but she said each session is getting better. Others around her are already impressed. Mboko said Williams is striking the ball cleanly and looks fit, while Amanda Anisimova, the No. 2 seed, said Williams appears to be playing at a very high level.
Perhaps the most striking part of Williams’ return is her attitude toward winning. She said she does not need to win and that she has nothing to prove. For one of tennis’ most competitive champions, that is a notable shift. Williams said she is reminding herself that she has already accomplished more than most people ever will, and that this comeback is about enjoying the game rather than chasing validation.
