The Queen of the Court is back. Nearly four years after her emotional farewell at Arthur Ashe Stadium, 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams has announced she is coming out of retirement. She is returning to professional tennis. Confirming the news in an exclusive with ESPN, the icon revealed she’ll rejoin the WTA Tour later this year. As a result, she is instantly setting up one of the most anticipated comebacks in sporting history.
Why Serena is coming back
When Williams stepped away after a gripping third-round exit at the 2022 US Open, she pointedly avoided the word “retirement”. Instead, she described it as an “evolution away from tennis” to focus on her family and her growing venture capital firm, Serena Ventures. Serena Williams proves that the competitive fire never truly disappears for a champion of her calibre. As it turns out, the competitive fire never went out.
In her announcement, Williams explained that time away allowed her body to fully heal. This break brought her back to the practice courts with renewed passion. She admitted she thought she was done. However, watching the game evolve from the sidelines reminded her that the racket still felt like an extension of her arm. Her message was clear: she isn’t returning just to play, she’s returning to compete.
When and where she’ll return
The comeback is being carefully managed to prepare her body for the gruelling demands of Grand Slam tennis. According to her camp, Serena Williams expects to re-enter the tour during the late-summer hard-court swing. Her first competitive singles match is slated for the Canadian Open in August. That WTA 1000 event will serve as a crucial stepping stone toward the main target. The main target is the 2026 US Open in New York. That’s the very stage where she last said goodbye.
The record on the line
Naturally, the comeback reignites one of tennis’s biggest talking points. With 23 Grand Slam singles titles to her name, Serena Williams is just one shy of Margaret Court’s record of 24. Fans, players and analysts are already debating whether she can finally tie — or even break — that elusive mark. Whether she’s chasing history or simply returning for the love of the game, the 2026 season just became unmissable.
What it means for UAE tennis fans
For tennis lovers in the Emirates, a Serena comeback is huge news. The UAE has become a genuine fixture on the global tennis map. It is headlined by the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships — one of the most prestigious stops on the WTA calendar. There are also marquee exhibition events in Abu Dhabi that regularly draw the sport’s biggest names to the region. For many fans here, Serena Williams taking to a court in the UAE would be the moment of a lifetime.
While her schedule beyond the US Open hasn’t been confirmed, any return by Williams instantly raises the tantalising prospect of seeing her compete on a UAE court in the seasons ahead. For now, regional fans have every reason to keep a very close eye on where the comeback heads next.
Frequently asked questions
Is Serena Williams really coming back to tennis?
Yes. Serena Williams herself has officially announced her return to professional tennis and the WTA Tour. She confirmed the news in an exclusive feature with ESPN.
When will Serena Williams play her first match?
She is slated to play her first competitive singles match at the Canadian Open in August, ahead of the 2026 US Open. This marks an exciting date for Serena Williams fans worldwide.
Why did Serena Williams retire in the first place?
She stepped away after the 2022 US Open, describing it as an “evolution away from tennis” to focus on her family and her venture capital firm, Serena Ventures. Retirement was always meant to be a chapter, not the end, for Serena Williams.
How many Grand Slam titles does Serena Williams have?
Williams has 23 Grand Slam singles titles, one short of Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24. That legendary tally is part of Serena Williams’s enduring legacy.