Serena Williams Doubles Comeback Rumors Grow as Gauff, Osaka React
Rising Canadian star Victoria Mboko says a doubles partnership with Serena Williams at Queen’s depends on the 23-time Grand Slam champion. Williams registered with drug-testing last year.
'Up to Serena' as Victoria Mboko addresses Queen's Club doubles rumors with Williams...
Victoria Mboko says the decision on a possible doubles comeback with Serena Williams rests with the 23-time Grand Slam champion herself, with any announcement expected next month.
Williams, now 44, hasn’t played a match since her 2022 US Open third-round exit. That run left her one major shy of Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic’s record 24 Grand Slam singles titles.
“I think for me I want to kind of let the moment (be) for her,” Mboko told reporters after reaching the French Open third round.
“I feel like if she's ready to come back on her own terms, then I feel like it's up to her to announce that.
“Other than that I don't really have much to say. I think the moment is all up to her and when she's ready to come back. Yeah, it's up to her.”
Four years ago Williams said she didn’t want to say she was “retiring” from tennis. Instead, she said she was “evolving” away from the sport.
Comeback speculation grew last year after she registered with the sport’s anti-doping program. She shut the rumors down on social media at the time, posting: “Omg y’all, I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”
Naomi Osaka, who beat Williams in the 2018 US Open final, said she’d tune in if Serena returned. “I think it’s good for me. I’ll be very entertained,” Osaka said when asked about watching a Williams comeback match.
Gauff Still Hopes for a Serena Showdown.
Coco Gauff says she’d jump at the chance to play Serena for the first time. The 21-year-old broke through in 2019, but their careers never crossed paths on court.
“I did say one of my biggest regrets was not being able to play her,” said the reigning French Open champion.
“Everybody has been hearing rumours and stuff. So if they are true, I guess we'll find out in a couple days based off the rumours.
“We'll see, but I think it would be cool for this sport to have a legend back playing.”
Venus Williams came out of a 16-month break last year and competed at the 2025 US Open and again at this season’s Australian Open.
Serena Williams will reportedly make a return to tennis at Queens 2026 🚨
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 28, 2026
She has requested a doubles wildcard to play alongside Victoria Mboko, per Jon Wertheim via Served. pic.twitter.com/mIWJD9Q7UQ
Venus said the only thing that could’ve made her return sweeter was if Serena had joined her back on tour.
Serena already had 8 Grand Slam titles to her name by the time Iva Jovic was born. Jovic reached the third round at Roland Garros for the first time on Thursday.
“It's really cool. I have never seen Serena in real life,” said American teenager Jovic.
“Obviously I grew up watching her. In my entire childhood she was dominating tennis, so it's going to be incredible.”
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