Serena Williams serves comeback with big Wimbledon reveal

London, UK- 23-time Grand Slam Champion Serena Williams announced she will officially make her comeback at the upcoming 2022 Wimbledon Championships.

Serena Williams serving during the women's singles of The Roland Garros 2021 French Open.
Serena Williams serving during the women's singles of The Roland Garros 2021 French Open.  © MARTIN BUREAU / AFP

Serena Williams is set for a return to Wimbledon, one year after her very last match.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion made a tearful exit in the first round of Wimbledon 12 months ago after retiring during the first set against Aliaksandra Sasnovich due to a leg injury.

Since then, speculation and doubts had been growing about whether the 40-year-old would return to the sport.

Kendall Jenner puts unusual twist on chic gym fit
Kendall Jenner Kendall Jenner puts unusual twist on chic gym fit

However, on Tuesday, Williams took the world by surprise when she posted on Instagram marking her official return: "SW and SW19. It’s a date. 2022 See you there."

Still, the hype didn't stop there.

The athlete also tagged Eastbourne in her post, leaving fans wondering if the tennis star will potentially also appear at next week’s Rothesay International Eastbourne tournament.

Serena Williams

Tennis champion Serena Williams attended the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 94th Oscars.
Tennis champion Serena Williams attended the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 94th Oscars.  © Patrick T. FALLON / AFP

The tennis world has noted Williams' absence from competition even more as her Instagram posts over the last year have seemingly focused on her business ventures and life as a mother to four-year-old daughter Olympia.

Suspicions of her retirement grew when her long-time coach Patrick Mouratoglou revealed in April that he had taken on a new role coaching opponent Simona Halep.

Williams has twice reached an event final since returning from maternity leave in 2018, losing to Angelique Kerber that summer and Halep the following year.

Trump ally MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell evicted from company warehouse
Celebrities Trump ally MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell evicted from company warehouse

It is unclear whether Williams, now ranked a low No. 1208, is intending to play singles or doubles at this year's Wimbledon, which is less physically demanding.

Williams could have entered the championships using a protected ranking reserved for players who have been sidelined through a long-term injury. However, she opted out and will therefore need a wild card.

The wild card decisions for singles and doubles will be officially announced on Wednesday, yet the tournament confirmed on its Twitter throughout Tuesday that Williams will definitely be returning.

Wimbledon is widely considered Williams’ best chance of claiming a 24th Grand Slam singles crown to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record of the most Grand Slam titles by a single tennis player, man or woman.

Cover photo: Collage: Patrick T. FALLON / MARTIN BUREAU / AFP

More on Serena Williams: