Inside Serena Williams’ Private World as She Plots Tennis Comeback

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 Serena Williams got busy discovering herself again after stepping away from tennis in 2022.

And what she discovered was that she wanted to play more tennis.

Serena announced on June 1st that she’s making a comeback to tennis at the Queen’s Club Championship in London, starting June 8th. The 44-year-old has been given a wild card to compete in doubles with 19-year-old Canadian player Victoria Mboko as her partner, in a tournament that serves as preparation for Wimbledon on grass courts.

Serena Williams said she feels Queen’s Club is the ideal place to start this new phase of her life. In a statement to The Athletic, she mentioned that playing on grass courts holds special memories for her and she’s thrilled to be competing again on such a famous surface. Serena shares two daughters, 8-year-old Olympia and 2-year-old Adira, with her husband, Alexis Ohanian.

Serena Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam winner, hasn’t confirmed if she’ll compete in Wimbledon’s main tournament this month, but it’s clear she’s determined to make a strong showing.

Well, so to speak.

Even though she’s working her way back to competition – something Serena Williams achieved an incredible 98 times throughout her 27-year career, including 73 singles titles – staying in top physical condition continues to be important for the 5’9″ athlete.

In a January interview on Today, she shared her love of exercise, specifically Pilates and running, and expressed her desire to keep working out regularly.

Serena revealed last summer that she lost 31 pounds using the medication Zepbound, changing her previous opinion that using drugs for weight loss was an easy fix.

Appearing on Today, she shared that she feels a significant mental shift. While not a physical change, she has more energy and feels happier, allowing her to be more productive and enjoy her day more. She emphasized that while she felt good previously, this feels different and improved.

So much so that she was contemplating a return to tennis?

Serena said she’s currently focused on having fun and enjoying life. However, she also hinted that she’s open to seeing what the future holds, keeping her options open.

In December, the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced that Serena Williams had asked to be added back into the drug testing program, leading many to believe she was planning a return to the sport.

“Omg yall,” Serena wrote in a Dec. 2 X post. “I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”

Yet apparently there were still some smoking embers within.

This situation mirrored when Serena Williams came back to playing tennis in December 2017, just three months after having her daughter, Olympia, and recovering from a dangerous blood clot in her lungs.

Serena shared that her 2020 ASB Classic win felt particularly meaningful because it was the first time her daughter witnessed her winning a championship. She posted about this on Instagram.

Despite reaching four major finals after becoming a mother, she wasn’t able to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

Before the 2022 U.S. Open, where she retired after losing in the third round, Serena Williams told Vogue she was planning to move on from tennis, describing it as a transition rather than a sudden stop.

You know, I’ve always felt a little uneasy with the word ‘retirement.’ It just doesn’t resonate with how I see things. It feels… outdated. I prefer to think of this phase of my life not as an ending, but as an evolution – a natural progression into something new and exciting. It’s about constantly growing and changing, not simply stopping.

First and foremost, she wanted to turn into a mother of two.

In August 2023, Alexis shared the wonderful news of her daughter Adira’s arrival on Instagram, expressing her joy and confirming that both baby and mom were doing well.

I’ve always admired Serena’s drive, and it’s amazing to see how she’s built a life beyond tennis! She didn’t even wait to retire to start exploring other passions. Everyone knows how much she loves fashion – she’s been a fixture at the Met Gala for years, and just attended her eighth one this May! But it’s her business side that really impresses me. She launched Serena Ventures way back in 2014, and I was so thrilled to learn she was one of the very first investors in Angel City FC, the incredible women’s soccer team.

She constantly dreamed about what was ahead, but quickly understood that life without tennis was something she couldn’t even imagine.

Even with careful planning, retiring – especially after consistently performing at a demanding level – is challenging,” Serena explained in a recent interview with PORTER. “I did everything I could to prepare, but it’s still an adjustment I’m working through.

She especially valued being able to prioritize her children. Being present for her family was important to her, and she made an effort to be home as much as possible, cooking dinner every night she was there – about 29 nights each month.

Even though she’s 45 and still playing herself, Venus Williams shared her support for her sister’s potential comeback to tennis.

Speaking to reporters last July at the D.C. Open, she repeatedly expressed how much her team missed a particular player. She said, ‘Having her here would make everything even better.’ She highlighted the player’s exceptional talent, noting that even after a six-month break, she’d be able to perform at a high level – something you can’t teach. She simply described her as incredibly skilled.

Meanwhile, Serena wanted to make sure she timed her shot perfectly.

She signaled her intention to return to work with a video posted in June, playfully stating, “Good news travels fast,” to announce her plans.

Before she returns to being a tennis player, see more scenes from Serena’s life as a mom:

…Like Her Mama.

Zzzzzz…

Serena and her little girl love Snapchat!

“Making moves,” read the caption on the photo, posted on the child’s Instagram page.

The photo on the child’s Instagram had a caption that said, ‘When you realize you’re the hero Gotham needs.’

Serena shared a picture on Instagram of her daughter Alexis and baby Alexis enjoying bath time, with the caption, “We love bath time.”

Serena showcases her new wedding ring in this adorable pic of her daughter.

The photo, posted on the child’s Instagram in December 2017, had the caption, “Wait till I see you S.”

Olympia appears with Serena’s sister Isha Price.

This photo was posted on Instagram in December 2017 with the caption, ‘Dad & I had a great workout today!’

Mommy and daughter are twinsies!

The happy mama has some fun on Snapchat.

Serena’s baby girl rocks a Janie and Jack’s striped sweater dress on Instagram Stories. 

Introducing the most stylish mother-daughter duo!

Olympia meets LL Cool J.

Serena and Olympia rock matching pink.

Even though she’s dressed like Snow White, Olympia channels Sleeping Beauty during nap time.

Serena shared a photo from July 2022 with the caption, “Olympia loves her afternoon tea and supporting me!”

Olympia rides around a golf car with mom Serena and dad Alexis Ohanian Sr.

Olympia became a big sister when Serena gave birth to daughter Adira River Ohanian in August 2023.

The tiny tot is all smiles when she meets her little sister for the first time.

Adira inherited her mom’s love of sports, showing off her skills in August 2025.

Serena shared her “passion for tennis with my youngest daughter” in Novemeber 2025.

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2026-06-02 00:18