Serena Williams set for competitive comeback after receiving Queen's wildcard

Serena Williams will play her first competitive tennis match since 2022 at Queen's later this month, having been handed a wildcard for the women's doubles event.

Williams has not played competitively since the 2022 US Open, after signalling her intention to "evolve away" from the sport ahead of that tournament.

She played doubles alongside sister Venus at that edition of Flushing Meadows, also reaching the third round of the women's singles draw with a stunning win over then-world number two Anett Kontaveit, before losing to Ajla Tomljanovic.

Williams, who won 23 grand slam singles titles throughout her glittering career as well as 14 grand slam doubles crowns alongside Venus, has repeatedly hinted at a comeback since then.

It has now been confirmed that the 44-year-old will be present at Queen's, where she is expected to partner up-and-coming Canadian 19-year-old Victoria Mboko.

In an Instagram post, Williams wrote: "Good news travels fast. 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."

Queen's takes place three weeks before Wimbledon, where Williams won seven singles titles and six doubles crowns, last triumphing in both events at SW19 in 2016.

She would need a wildcard to be able to compete at the year's third major, though it is unclear whether she plans to play at either Wimbledon or the US Open, which begins in late August.