Williams to partner Canada's Mboko in Queen's comeback

Serena Williams
Serena Williams, who bowed out of tennis at the 2022 US Open, is making a comeback at Queen's. -AP

Serena Williams will partner Canada's Victoria Mboko in her long-awaited return to professional ‌tennis in the women's doubles at next week's Queen's Club ‌Championships in London.

The 44-year-old Williams, a 23-time ‌Grand Slam winner, has not competed since the 2022 US Open. The American and Mboko, 19, have received a wildcard for the doubles draw at Queen's Club.

"The Queen ‌is back. An ‌honor ⁠to share the court with one ​of the greatest athletes of all time this week," Mboko, who had hinted about Williams' return after winning her French Open second-round match, said in a post on Instagram.

"Even ⁠more excited to play ‌doubles ​together! Tennis is pretty special."

Williams announced her return on ​social media ‌after speculation intensified following her re-entry into the anti-doping ​testing pool last year, despite previously saying she was "evolving away from tennis".

Williams will take the court ​in ​London at the WTA ​500 tournament running from June ‌8-14.

She has won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles alongside her sister, Venus, and the pair remain undefeated in major finals.

Mboko, who is ranked ninth in ​singles, also said Williams was her "idol" at Roland ​Garros last week.