Wimbledon viewers were over the moon this Tuesday (30 June) as Serena Williams made her return to professional tennis after a four-year hiatus. The 23-time Grand Slam champion went head-to-head with Australia's Maya Joint in her first singles match since leaving the sport in 2022.
Serena's return comes as little surprise. Although she shut down comeback rumours in December 2025, she was confirmed as a wildcard entry for the women's doubles at Queen's, where she teamed up with Canada's Victoria Mboko. She was then offered a spot in the women’s singles tournament at Wimbledon, where she is a seven-time champion.
Fans cheered as Serena made her grand return, donning a Nike skirt set, crafted specifically for the event according to Marie Claire. In the stands, Serena's husband Alexis Ohanian watched on in support alongside their two daughters, Olympia and Adira, and her sister, Venus.
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But it was Serena's ease on the court that left viewers at home gobsmacked. One viewer commented that it looked as if she'd never left, while another branded the tennis legend "amazing". A third tennis fan added: "We may have a comeback on our hands."
Questioned over her reason for returning to tennis, Serena's answer was direct: "Why not?" Speaking to press at Queen's Club earlier in June, she added: "I've had enough pressure. For me right now, it's really about my kids getting to see me play."
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While Serena brought the curtain down on her career, she was careful to avoid describing it as a traditional retirement. Speaking with Vogue shortly before her last match at the US Open, Serena shared she would be "evolving away" from tennis and go "toward things that are important to me".
She then quietly started her own venture capital firm, Serena Ventures, and was keen to see her endeavour blossom. Another major factor behind her decision was her desire to have another child with her husband.
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Serena, who has also won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, had previously spoken about the challenges of balancing life as an elite athlete with motherhood after welcoming her first daughter Olympia, in 2017.
The 23-Grand Slam singles champion bowed out after reaching the third round of the US Open, where she was defeated by Australia's Alja Tomljanovic. The emotional farewell saw fellow players and fans pay tribute to one of the most successful athletes the sport has ever seen.
Wimbledon coverage continues this week on BBC One.
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