Serena Williams is reportedly in talks to make a return to professional tennis, potentially competing at the Queen’s Club Championships in London next month. The 23-time Grand Slam winner, who has been largely absent from the tour since 2022, is said to be preparing for a doubles appearance alongside Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko at the HSBC Championships beginning June 8.

Speculation about Williams’ comeback intensified after it was revealed last December that she had re-entered the international anti-doping programme, a requirement for athletes who wish to compete on the professional circuit again. Although Williams had previously downplayed the notion of a return, recent reports suggest she has requested a wild card entry into the doubles draw.

The information was initially reported by the Served podcast, hosted by former world number one Andy Roddick, a close friend of Williams. This was later echoed by the Daily Telegraph, which indicated that the star is actively seeking to participate in the Queen’s Club event. The tournament is organised by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), which declined to comment on the matter when approached.

Meanwhile, representatives from Wimbledon and the All England Club, which hosts the Grand Slam event following Queen’s Club, confirmed that they will convene to determine the allocation of wild cards, with announcements expected during the week of June 15. It remains unclear whether Williams will receive an invitation to compete at Wimbledon if her comeback materialises.

Williams, currently 44, has not played a professional singles match since the 2022 US Open. A return to competitive doubles at Queen’s Club would mark her first official appearance on the Tour since then, generating significant attention given her stature in the sport. The potential partnership with Mboko, a rising Canadian player, may serve as a strategic and less physically demanding re-entry into the professional arena.

While official confirmation has yet to come from Williams or tournament organisers, the reports highlight the possibility that the tennis icon could step back onto the court within weeks after a period away from the game.