This time it's official: after several months of rumors, former world No. 1 Serena Williams, winner of 23 Grand Slam titles, confirmed on Monday her return to the circuit at 44 years old, in doubles at the London tournament of Queen's (June 8-14).

"The queen is back," wrote the organizers of the WTA 500 grass-court tournament in a message posted on X.

"Good news travels fast. I imagine you've heard the news," she said in a video posted on her X account, referring to the woman who reigned over the WTA rankings for 319 weeks.

At 44, the American tennis legend has received an invitation to play in the Queen's doubles tournament alongside a partner yet to be determined, according to a statement released by the WTA.

But this is probably just the beginning, her compatriot John McEnroe senses. "I imagine she'll play a bit of doubles, and then maybe she'll play Wimbledon in singles? That would be fantastic," the former world No. 1 dreamed on the sidelines of the French Open, where he is entered in the tournament between former tennis greats.

"She's not getting any younger, but hey, she's Serena Williams. So I bet she's coming back with the intention of winning everything," McEnroe added.

"I'm assuming she'll play singles at Wimbledon," added Swede Mats Wilander, who was also in Paris on Monday. "I don't see why she would make the trip (to London, editor's note) just to play doubles matches."

- "Whiplash" -

Absent from the circuit since her defeat in the third round of the US Open in September 2022, Serena Williams returns to the circuit almost a year after her older sister Venus, who resumed her professional career at 45 in July 2025.

Monday's announcement put an end to months of speculation, fueled by the American's re-registration on the list of players who may be subject to random doping tests.

"When she left the court (at the 2022 US Open), I really thought it was the end," commented Lindsay Davenport, another former American world No. 1, on Monday from Roland-Garros. "When I learned that she had been reinstated on the list of players who could be tested by anti-doping authorities, I was really surprised. No one goes back on that list without intending to play again," continued the current captain of the American Billie Jean King Cup team.

She anticipates that the return of "the greatest player of all time" will "give a boost to women's tennis".

- "Good news for tennis" -

"That's cool! She has a really cool personality. She's a legend and it's inspiring to see that," said current No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka after her victory in the round of 16 at Roland-Garros against Naomi Osaka.

"I'm looking forward to seeing her play and probably facing her. This is very good news for tennis," added the Belarusian.

Winner of 73 singles titles and 23 doubles titles on the main circuit, Serena Williams had not formally said that she was retiring in September 2022, preferring to say that she was "evolving" further away from tennis.

Since her reinstatement on the anti-doping lists, the American had initially formally denied rumors of a return to the circuit, before becoming more evasive.

After becoming a mother in 2017, Serena Williams had a second daughter in 2023. She is the tenth former world No. 1 to return to competition after becoming a mother, and the first since Japan's Osaka, according to the WTA.

"Serena has taken this sport to a level never before reached. It is incredible for tennis that she is pushing the boundaries and coming back," said Martina Navratilova in the WTA press release, who until then held the record for the oldest former world No. 1 to attempt a comeback on the circuit.

"Many of the younger players on the circuit have never had the opportunity to face her. Some may not have even seen her play on television, so it's going to be a new and exciting experience," she added.