Last week, Serena Williams surprised the sporting world by making her official return to the competitive game of tennis at the Queen’s Club Championship.

Fans may recall that the tennis legend announced her retirement in 2022, but after a four-year hiatus, she is back to serving.

Now, Williams is revealing that the decision was largely driven by someone she describes as “very wise.”

Serena Williams Credits Daughter For Tennis Return

Ahead of her Wimbledon appearance, where Serena and her sister Venus Williams earned a doubles wild card invitation, the icon opened up about her comeback and who fueled it.

“Well, I think it’s going to be fun. My daughter Olympia told me that I should play with Venus. She’s always right,” Serena said in an interview with WTA Tennis. “She’s very serious, she’s very smart. She’s very wise.”

When questioned by media representatives about potentially accepting a remaining unassigned invitation for the individual tournament bracket, the seven-time solo champion shared a lighthearted exchange about her readiness.

She joked that she would need to put in serious practice first to have a chance at winning the tournament. 

In addition to being motivated by her daughter, Serena also revealed that her sister Venus and alpine skier Lindsey Vonn both played a role in her decision. 

“I was really motivated by what Venus was doing at the US Open, I thought she played really well,” Serena said. 

As the athlete watched Vonn and other women accomplish incredible feats in different sports, she felt heavily motivated and was ultimately convinced to compete again.

Serena Williams’ Return To Tennis Started In Victory

The inspiration from prominent female athletes was successfully translated into immediate on-court triumph during Serena’s return. Stepping onto the famous grass courts of London for the Queen’s Club Championship, the legendary competitor proved her elite skills remain completely intact. 

She shared the baseline with nineteen-year-old Victoria Mboko, and they dominated their opening doubles match. The pair secured a convincing victory against Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe. 

Watching from the stadium stands was Serena’s supportive family, including her husband Alexis Ohanian and daughters, Adira and Olympia.

Additionally, Vonn, who inspired her comeback, also watched the entire match courtside to show support, per The Blast.  

The Tennis Legend Formally Confirmed Her Court Comeback Via Social Media

Prior to showcasing her enduring athletic prowess in the presence of her supportive family, Serena confirmed her highly anticipated return to professional competition.

She effectively silenced months of intense media speculation and mounting fan curiosity by sharing a brief video clip to announce her participation in the HSBC Championship at London’s Queen’s Club. 

The creative footage depicted the athlete dressed in classic white athletic attire, stepping back onto a tennis court with her racket in hand, and jokingly remarking into a ringing phone that she needed to change her contact information.

The video ended with a write-up that read, “Guess everybody heard the news; good news travels fast,” as reported by The Blast.  

Sports organizations and eager commentators instantly celebrated the news online, declaring that the legendary figure was reclaiming her rightful place as “queen” on the professional tour.

Serena Williams Initially Evaded Television Inquiries Regarding Her Impending Professional Return

The athlete’s public confirmation stood in stark contrast to her previous efforts to completely suppress rumors about a career revival earlier in the year.

During a broadcast appearance in late January, Serena adamantly maintained that she was simply embracing her time away from professional sports.

The Blast reported that when the studio anchor unexpectedly initiated a discussion regarding a potential comeback, she appeared to have been caught off guard.

Rather than offering a definitive statement about her future on the court, she chose to brush aside the topic. “Listen, I have two kids. I am a full-time, stay-at-home mom,” she quipped.

As the direct questioning persisted, she strictly asserted to the reporter that she was not permitted to disclose any details surrounding the matter.

Serena Williams Previously Opened Up About Feeling ‘Healthier’ While Using Weight Loss Medication

Although she deflected inquiries about her professional return, the legendary athlete has been transparent about her personal wellness journey.

According to The Blast, Serena expressed that she feels significantly more energized and physically optimal than she did during her peak competitive years.

She disclosed that utilizing a specialized GLP-1 prescription has dramatically enhanced her health. The treatment successfully enabled her to drop 35 pounds while simultaneously reducing her baseline cholesterol levels. 

“I feel healthier. I feel lighter. I feel great,” she said.