The 23-time Grand Slam champion is returning to the court as a wild card in the HSBC Championships at Queen's Club. She is scheduled to play doubles with 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko.

Ahead of the tournament, Williams was quite sure about who she wanted as a partner. Being a winner herself, she wanted someone to possess the same winning mindset.

"I'm looking for someone who wants to win and can win," Williams said while smiling. "I guess that hasn't changed."

Williams said this in Nike Women's latest post. As for her partner, Mboko, this is a great opportunity for the youngster to hone her doubles skills by playing alongside the legend.

The 19-year-old has also been excited to have the opportunity to play with the icon herself and has expressed utter respect for Williams.

"Me and Serena have stayed in touch, which is really, really nice, because I really look up to her," Mboko said in a news conference. "I mean, the fact that she even knows me is very, it’s very exciting. She’s my idol, so it’s really cool."

Mboko also revealed that she remembered Williams playing in the Canadian Open when Mboko was still an amateur.

"I think she was such a great role model and such an inspiration to so many young girls out there," Mboko added.

Williams, on the other hand, seems to be excited for the tournament herself. But can she win another doubles title with the youngster?

Serena Williams Looks Forward To Her Comeback

Williams sounds equally excited as her partner about coming back to the court, especially the grass court. Having won seven Wimbledon titles, she has an emotional connection with the prestigious court type.

"Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter," Williams said. "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."

Williams has won a total of 23 doubles titles, of which 16 are Grand Slam titles. She has won 14 Grand Slam women’s doubles championships with her sister Venus Williams. She has also won two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.

As for the World No. 9, Mboko, she is yet to win a doubles title. Mboko surely possesses the mindset Williams always looks for, but can Mboko back it up with the walk as well?

It will surely be a huge return for the icon on Monday, June 8, 2026, when the HSBC Championship starts.

Whether or not Williams will play Wimbledon remains unclear, but a recent tweet from Front Office Sports gives hints that Williams may not retire too soon after this tournament.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

Read More at Her Sports Nation!

Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore