"Why Not?": Serena Williams on Her Return to Professional Tennis Serena Williams addressed the public for the first time since announcing her comeback, explaining her decision to return to professional tennis at age 44. The 23-time Grand Slam champion, who has long maintained that she has "nothing to prove," reflected on her motivations, her partnership with Victoria Mboko, and her perspective on legacy. Her response to the question of why she is returning was succinct: "Why not?" Williams recounted how she initially hesitated but eventually embraced the idea after discussions with friends and a sense of curiosity about new possibilities. A key factor in her decision is her desire to ensure her daughters, 8-year-old Olympia and 2-year-old Adira, witness the dedication and perseverance required to achieve greatness. "It's also that an athlete is the best thing that you can be in the highest place," Williams said. "Having an opportunity to still be able to possibly do that one last time is kind of cool and exciting." This sentiment aligns with the motivations of other athletes, such as Novak Djokovic, who cited wanting his children to see him compete at the highest level. Williams has chosen Victoria Mboko, a 19-year-old World No. 9 and No. 3 seed at Queen's, as her doubles partner for the HSBC Championships. Mboko, who grew up idolizing Williams, described the partnership as a surreal experience. She recalled first watching Williams win the 2012 US Open at age six and later being courtside for her appearances in Toronto. Mboko emphasized that Williams' consistent success made her an easy idol. "Seeing someone on TV versus actually talking to them in person and having conversations, it's very different," Mboko said. "I think she's really nice, and she's very personable. Like, very relatable.#victoria_mboko #serena_williams #hsbc_championships #olympia_williams #adira_williams
Serena Williams Returns to Tennis in Doubles at Queen's Club, Focuses on Family and Fun Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, is embracing a new chapter in her tennis career as she prepares to make her competitive return at the HSBC Championships in London. The 44-year-old, who has not played since her farewell match at the 2022 US Open, has been granted a wild card for the women’s doubles event, partnering 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko at the Queen’s Club. This marks her first competitive appearance since stepping away from the sport, a decision she once described as “evolving away” from tennis. Williams expressed her decision to return as a simple “Why not?” remark, emphasizing that her focus is not on winning but on enjoying the experience. “I don’t need to win,” she said. “I’ve won more than most people have in their whole lives, so it’s not that important to me. It’s important that I keep reminding myself of that because I don’t have anything to prove.” She highlighted her lack of pressure, stating, “I don’t have anything to lose, and everything here is just to gain.” The mother of two also revealed that her return is deeply tied to her family. “For me right now, it’s really just about so many elements,” she said. “It’s really about my kids getting to see me play. Olympia is a little bit older, Adira is very young.” Williams described the opportunity to compete as “cool and exciting,” noting that being an athlete remains “the best thing you can be in the highest place.” While Williams has not ruled out a return to singles, she acknowledged that it is not imminent. “I can’t say no right now,” she said. “I feel like I probably need to train a little bit more if I want to play singles, and we will see if I get there, and if not… that’s not my journey right now.#victoria_mboko #serena_williams #queen_s_club #hsbc_championships #adira
