Serena Williams will return to tennis and play doubles at the Queen's Club Championship in London.
The American legend, 44, stepped away from the sport four years ago following her final appearance at the US Open in New York.
Williams said: "Queen's Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter.
"Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career, and I'm excited to be back competing on one of the sport's most iconic stages."
Serena Williams will return to tennis after stepping away four years ago
| PAWilliams holds 23 Grand Slam singles titles, making her the most successful female player of the Open era and second only to Margaret Court in the all-time rankings.
She follows her sister and former doubles partner, Venus Williams, who returned to the tour last year.
The American featured in an Instagram post with Nike, showing Williams on the court, captioned: "Guess everybody heard the news."
Williams' last match came in the third round of the US Open, when she lost to Ajla Tomljanovic.
Serena Williams said: 'I'm excited to be back competing on one of the sport's most iconic stages'
| PALATEST SPORTS NEWS
When she stopped playing professionally, rather than branding her move as a retirement, the American said he was "evolving away".
She previously shut down rumours about a return in December 2025, after she registered with the sport's drug-testing body, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
Williams said at the time: "Omg yall I'm NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy."
Athletes returning to testing must provide their availability for sample collection, including specific times and locations.
Williams will play at the Queen's Club Championship in London
| PAWilliams has been eligible to compete since February 22, having spent the required six months back in the anti-doping testing programme.
Queen's gets underway on Monday, June 8, with Wimbledon following just three weeks later.
The American will have to compete via a wildcard entry, with two spots available for the doubles competition.
One of these wildcards is specifically reserved for a pairing that includes either a former world number one, a major champion from the past decade, or a player currently ranked inside the top 30.
Serena Williams dominated the sport for more than two decades
| GETTYWilliams comfortably meets these criteria, given her extraordinary career achievements.
It has not been confirmed who her doubles partner will be at the tournament.
The Served podcast, presented by former world number one Andy Roddick, previously claimed Williams would partner Canadian Victoria Mboko, 19, at the West London venue.
Valerie Camillo, Chair of the Women's Tennis Association, welcomed her return, saying: "Serena is one of the greatest athletes of all time, with a legacy that extends far beyond the court.
"Her return is an expression of her passion for competition, and I cannot wait to see her face a new generation of top players.
"Serena is not just a great champion. She's a successful entrepreneur, a powerful advocate for the issues that matter – and one of the most iconic women in the world.
"We are thrilled to welcome her back to the WTA Tour at this hugely exciting moment for women's tennis."
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter