Serena Williams is set to make another tennis comeback at the age of 44.
The American icon, who has 23 majors in an incredible career, will take to the court with sister Venus Williams for the first time in nearly four years at this month’s Cincinnati Open.
Organizers of the event announced this week that the legendary pair have been given a wild-card entry into the doubles field of the event, which takes place in Ohio next week.
Venus and Serena last played a doubles match together at the 2022 US Open, and this will be their first time teaming up in the hard-court tune-up tournament in Mason, Ohio.
The Williams sisters received a wild-card entry to play doubles at Wimbledon in June, but an injury to Serena prevented that from happening. They have won 14 major titles and three Olympic gold medals in doubles play.
Venus Williams, 46, is also set to play mixed doubles at the US Open later this month alongside Alexander Bublik.
Serena Williams’ comeback earlier this year lasted just three matches. She opened with a first-round doubles victory at Queen’s alongside Victoria Mboko, but the pair withdrew after the 19-year-old Canadian sustained an MCL knee injury. Williams then suffered a doubles defeat with Karolina Muchova in Berlin before ending her return with a 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 first-round singles loss to Maya Joint on Centre Court at Wimbledon.
‘I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles,’ she said in a post on Instagram. ‘Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside Venus once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could, but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.
‘I’m especially grateful to tournament director, Jamie Baker, and the entire tournament team for giving me every opportunity to recover. Thank you to the fans for your incredible support and for making this comeback so meaningful…All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you…’