News in brief

Friday 29 May 2026

Serena Williams plans blockbuster return to tennis

This article appeared as part of the Daily Sensemaker newsletter – one story a day to make sense of the world. To receive it in your inbox, featuring content exclusive to the newsletter, sign up for free here.

Serena Williams, the 23-time grand slam tennis singles champion, has reportedly requested a wildcard for Queen’s. This would be a remarkable comeback after Williams, 44, retired in 2022. According to the Telegraph, she has requested a wildcard to play alongside 19-year-old Victoria Mboko. There are two doubles wildcards available for the tournament, which takes place three weeks before Wimbledon. Speculation that Williams might stage a second act has swirled since December, when she rejoined the anti-doping testing pool. The Lawn Tennis Association generally prioritises British players for wildcards at grass court events. But they are likely to make an exception for Williams, a commercial juggernaut and sporting legend.

Newsletters

Choose the newsletters you want to receive

View more

For information about how The Observer protects your data, read our Privacy Policy

Follow

The Observer
The Observer Magazine
The ObserverNew Review
The Observer Food Monthly
Copyright © 2025 Tortoise MediaPrivacy PolicyTerms & Conditions