Serena Williams reportedly mobilising for comeback to play doubles with Victoria Mboko with grass court tilt likely
WTAThursday, 28 May 2026 at 07:36
Bombshell news through the night as reportedly Serena Williams is rumoured to be making a comeback sooner rather than later as Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim delved into rumours they'd heard on the latest episode of Served.
While the duo were very quick to say it was all gossip and not fully confirmed, they were clear cut even down to saying who will be playing with her in doubles in Victoria Mboko.
As well as saying that they'd be more surprised if she doesn't bother and that she has been ringing around for wildcards, albeit that she isn't playing singles. As Roddick and Wertheim later said, they don't think she would come back just to play doubles.
"There’s been a lot of talk about a Serena comeback and it’s picking up steam," said Wertheim on Served.
"I’ve heard there have been multiple wildcard requests for the grass-court season. She has to make the requests herself. It’s not like tournaments are just calling her saying, “Do you want a wildcard?” Although they probably would.
I think, first of all, Serena Williams is still Serena Williams. She was born in 1981, she’s in her mid-40s, she hasn’t played in a while, but this could be an amazing story. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t, I don’t think anyone really cares. People just want to see it.
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"The whole thing has been surrounded by secrecy and denials, but honestly, I think it’s awesome. From what I’ve heard, it does look like she’ll be playing during the grass season. Apparently, she’s expected to play doubles at Queen’s Club."
But not with Venus Williams but with Victoria Mboko supposedly. "Once you re-enter the anti-doping protocols — and that apparently happened six or eight months ago — you do that because you at least want the option of coming back," responded Roddick.
"Maybe you’re not fully committed yet, but you’re thinking seriously about it. If you’re Serena Williams and you’re making yourself available for testing again, you’re clearly considering a return. And realistically, if there’s one surface where Serena could still produce something special, it’s grass and Wimbledon."
Serena Williams set for dramatic comeback?
Not just doubles presumed
Andrea Petkovic seemingly being the source of said news said that she doesn't think she would just play doubles and that a singles comeback would follow too.
"Andrea Petkovic actually went even further on this. She said that you don’t go through all the anti-doping requirements and whereabouts testing just to play doubles. She believes there’s a singles comeback coming too."
"I think Serena is going to play singles as well. From what I’ve heard, members of her camp are mobilising for Queen’s Club and then Berlin. It sounds like it would begin with doubles, possibly a wildcard into Berlin doubles and then they see how it goes.
"That makes sense. You play doubles, test the body, see how the ball is coming off the racket, and then maybe you move toward Wimbledon singles. Or maybe even wait for the US Open and the hard courts"
Roddick responded saying that she wouldn't wait around for singles. "I don’t think she has time to wait around. If Wimbledon is your best surface and your best opportunity, I don’t think you skip it.
"I actually think there’s a decent chance she plays singles before Wimbledon."
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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