The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, who retired in 2022, will return to competition as a mother of two daughters \u2014 Olympia, born in 2017, and Adira, born in 2023. Her comeback has generated excitement throughout the tennis world, with many seeing it as another groundbreaking moment in a career that has repeatedly changed the landscape of the sport.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSerena is one of the greatest athletes of all time, with a legacy that goes far beyond the court,\u201d said Valerie Camillo, Chair of the WTA.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHer return shows 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\u2019s a successful entrepreneur and a strong advocate for important issues. She is one of the most iconic women in the world. We are thrilled to welcome her back to the WTA Tour at this exciting time for women\u2019s tennis.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Williams joins an exclusive group of former world No. 1 players who returned to professional tennis after giving birth. This group includes Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Lindsay Davenport, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, Caroline Wozniacki, Angelique Kerber, and Naomi Osaka.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who also made a comeback after retirement, believes Williams\u2019 return will inspire a new generation of players. \u201cSerena brought the game to another level. It is incredible for the sport that she\u2019s pushing the boundaries and coming back,\u201d Navratilova said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cTo many younger players, they never had the chance to play against her; some may have never even watched her on TV, so this will be a new and exciting experience.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Williams' return comes more than 30 years after she played her first WTA qualifying match in Quebec City in 1995. She made her main-draw debut in Moscow in 1997 as a 15-year-old and quickly rose through the ranks. By the end of 1998, she had broken into the Top 20, and in 1999 she won both her first WTA title in Paris and her first Grand Slam crown at the US Open.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She became World No. 1 for the first time on July 8, 2002, at age 20. Williams spent 319 weeks atop the rankings, including a record-tying streak of 186 consecutive weeks. She finished as year-end No. 1 five times and became the oldest woman to hold the top ranking in April 2017 at age 35.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Williams' return comes more than 30 years after she played her first WTA qualifying match in Quebec City in 1995. She made her main-draw debut in Moscow in 1997 as a 15-year-old and quickly rose through the ranks. By the end of 1998, she had broken into the Top 20, and in 1999 she won both her first WTA title in Paris and her first Grand Slam crown at the US Open.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Serena is the only player in tennis history, male or female, to complete a Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles. She won all four Grand Slam titles and Olympic gold medals in both events.<\/p>\r\n\r\n