Serena Williams is making her comeback, aged 45, on grass.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion will play doubles with Canadian youngster Victoria Mboko at the Queen’s Club Championships.
She has also received a wild card to play doubles at next week’s Berlin Open.
What do you think Serena Williams needs to do to make her comeback successful?
There, she could team up with two-time major champion Coco Gauff.
Jon Wertheim claims Serena Williams is lobbying to play doubles with Coco Gauff in Berlin
During the latest episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick‘, Jon Wertheim shared what he’s heard about Williams’ Berlin Open plans.
“I heard she’s lobbying…” he said.
“Ah f— it, I’ll just say it. I hear she would like to play with Coco [Gauff] in Berlin!”
Wertheim then explained why Gauff may be hesitant to accept Williams‘ offer.
“Coco is trying to win Wimbledon; it’s a big distraction,” he said.
“We will see if that actually happens.”
Gauff lost in the first round of Wimbledon 12 months ago to Dayana Yastremska.
After failing to defend her Roland Garros title, Gauff will be keen to add to her major tally in London.
Coco Gauff’s Grand Slam performance timeline
| Grand Slam | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| Australian Open | – | – | 4R | 2R | 1R | 4R | SF | QF | QF |
| French Open | – | Q2 | 2R | QF | F | QF | SF | W | 3R |
| Wimbledon | – | 4R | – | 4R | 3R | 1R | 4R | 1R | – |
| US Open | Q1 | 3R | 1R | 2R | QF | W | 4R | 4R | – |
Playing singles and doubles right before Wimbledon, attracting mass media attention, might not be the preparation Gauff is looking for.
Still, Gauff might be willing to take that risk to play with one of the greats.
During a Roland Garros press conference, Gauff commented on Williams’ return.
“That would be really cool,” she said.
“I did say one of my biggest regrets was not being able to play her.
“Everybody has been hearing rumours and stuff, so if they are true, I think it will be cool for the sport to have a legend back playing.”
Wertheim continued, delivering his verdict on what’s to come for Williams.
“She has a Berlin wild card, but I don’t think she has a partner [yet],” he said.
“I hear they asked for 27 passes, there’s a documentary unit. This is a thing!
“Look, she’ll figure it out if her body holds up, and she feels good about how she’s playing; great; she’ll probably take a singles wild card; if not, not, there’s no downside here.
“It’s fun; it’s a jolt for tennis; her daughter will get to see her.”
Andy Roddick hits back at fans criticising Serena Williams for returning to tennis at Queen’s
Roddick, the last American man to win a Grand Slam singles title, was quick to call out fans who have criticised Williams for her return.
“People have these weird opinions about this. Who is losing because she’s back in tennis?” he asked.
“Is Queen’s Club losing? And don’t f— at me with the person who is 130 who would have got into doubles if she didn’t get the wild card, oh my god, don’t, please don’t.
“This is fantastic, this is a dream.
“How do we maintain attention after Roland Garros? I’ve got one!”
Roddick then shared what he hopes Williams will do this summer.
“Fantastic, I hope it goes well, I hope she plays singles at Wimbledon!” he said.
“Put it in my veins. I cannot wait; even better, I’m going to be there. If I’m not calling that match, if I’m not involved, I want to see it; I want to see the spectacle; I want to see the circus; I want to see it all. No one can do it like Serena Williams.
“Also, for people like ‘She’s coming back at Queen’s Club!’ I’m sorry, is she going to go to Lexington? Is she going to quietly go about her business?
“No! That ship has sailed; she hasn’t been able to do that since she was 17, f— out of here with that.”
Williams lost in the first round on her last visit to Wimbledon, falling to a three-set defeat against Harmony Tan.
Perhaps she will redeem herself when the 2026 Wimbledon Championships begin on Monday, June 29.
