The China Mail - Child's play fuels Serena's return, but singles comeback far from certain

Four years after appearing to end her glittering career, Williams on Monday announced that she will come out of retirement in the doubles tournament at Queen's Club in west London next week.

The 44-year-old's shock return has captured the imagination of the sporting world.

Fans lined the practice court to catch a glimpse of Williams at Queen's on Sunday, filming the 23-time Grand Slam champion's every move on their phones, while photographers trained their lenses on the her.

For Williams, it is a pair of spectators in particular that fuelled her decision to get back on court.

She has two young daughters with husband Alexis Ohanian and is keen for them to see her play in a competitive environment before finally hanging up her racquet for good.

Asked why she opted to come back, Williams told reporters at Queen's on Sunday: "For me right now, there are so many elements, you know.

"It's really about the kids seeing me play. Olympia is a little bit older, Adira is very young. It's components like that.

"It's also, an athlete is the best thing you can be, in the highest place and having an opportunity to still be able to possibly do that one last time is kind of cool and exciting. And so there is a little bit of that too."

Granted a wildcard into the Queen's doubles, Williams and Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko face third seeds Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez in the first round next week.

After competing at Queen's, Williams will take part in the doubles at the Berlin Open from June 15-21.

In her first press conference since announcing her return, Williams played down suggestions that she would extend her return to singles competition.

But, with Wimbledon looming later in June, she did not completely rule out the possibility of featuring at a tournament she has won seven times.

- 'Nothing to lose' -

"For singles, I can't say yeah and I can't say no. Right now, no. I feel like I probably need to train a little bit more if I want to play singles," she said.

"We will see if I get there and if not it is not my journey right now."

Williams's return comes 31 years after her first professional match.

How did one of the most iconic figures in tennis history decide the lure of the court was still too strong to resist?

"In December, I was definitely not (coming back). And then I was just talking to a few people. Just chatting about different possibilities, for fun, something a little bit different," she said.

"Everyone is like, 'What are you thinking?' But it's summer, the kids are out of school, perfect time to get out and have some fun."

Williams admitted to missing the tennis lifestyle, but it took a while to finally commit to returning.

"It wasn't a last minute decision but it was a last minute committment," she said.

"The biggest thing I've missed is just the atmosphere and the travel. I've played literally my entire life. You kind of take it for granted.

"So now, there are different things I can try to experience in a different way with my family."

Williams has not played since saying she was "evolving away" from tennis after losing to Ajla Tomljanovic in the US Open in 2022.

Doubts remain over whether Williams can get anywhere near her all-conquering best, but it is the journey, rather than the destination, that drives her these days.

"It feels good. I hit with Vicky (Mboko) twice and today I felt a lot better. It's riding a bike up a hill but I'm enjoying the ride," she said.

"I don't need to win. I've won more than most people have their entire lives. So for me that is not important. It is important I keep reminding myself of that.

"I don't have anything to prove, I don't have anything to lose and everything to gain."

J.Thompson--ThChM