One of the greatest athletes in sports history is coming back.
Videos by FanBuzz
Serena Williams has announced that she will return to professional tennis later this month, entering the doubles draw at the HSBC Championships at London's Queen's Club.
The tournament, scheduled for June 8-14, will mark Williams' first competitive match in nearly four years and her first step back onto the professional stage since stepping away from the sport.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion confirmed the news Sunday and said Queen's Club felt like the perfect place to begin the next phase of her legendary career.
"Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career," Williams said. "I'm excited to be back competing on one of the sport's most iconic stages."
Williams, 44, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in tennis history. Along with her 23 Grand Slam singles titles, she spent 319 weeks ranked No. 1 in the world and won four Olympic gold medals.
Her return immediately raises questions about what could come next.
The Queen's Club event takes place just weeks before Wimbledon, where Williams captured seven singles championships and six doubles titles alongside her sister, Venus.
While there has been no announcement regarding additional tournaments, the timing of her comeback is certain to fuel speculation about a possible Wimbledon appearance.
Tournament officials celebrated the news, with HSBC Championships director Laura Robson calling Williams "one of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen."
