"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
