‘I’ll believe it when I see it’ - Expert reaction to rumours of Serena Williams comeback at Queen's ahead of Wimbledon
By Sanjay Suri
Published 30/05/2026 at 12:17 GMT+1
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Former British women’s No. 1 Anne Keothavong is intrigued to see whether rumours of a Serena Williams comeback are true amid speculation of the star’s return at Queen's, ahead of Wimbledon.
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Williams, who won 23 Grand Slams in an extraordinary career, last played on the tour at the 2022 US Open.
However, the 44-year-old is set to make her return by playing doubles at Queen's in London next month, following in the footsteps of her sister and former doubles partner Venus, who made her tennis return in July last year.
Keothavong is curious to see both the level that Williams will play at and wonders what has spurred this return.
”I'll believe it when I see it,” she told TNT Sports. ”But if rumours are true, it would be great to see Serena back out there on the tennis court.
”She's been a superstar of the game, she is still a star in her own right, she's achieved so much. I'm intrigued like everyone else.
”I want to know why and I want to see what she's capable of. People, I guess, like to challenge themselves in different ways and, if the rumours are true and she really is up for the challenge to see where she's at, then good for her.
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”It would be a phenomenal achievement, although saying that we've got no idea what her level's going to be like when she comes back.
"But I don't think if she were to come back, she would do it half-heartedly. There's a lot of pride there on the line.”
‘She’s capable of anything’
Former coach Patrick Mouratoglou also believes Williams could do the impossible, illustrating some of the achievements she has already reached in her career.
Williams won her final Grand Slam, the 2017 Australian Open, while pregnant with her first child and reached four finals after giving birth.
Mouratoglou coached Williams from 2012 until her retirement and was shocked by her determination to return to professional tennis so soon after giving birth.
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”Serena has shown me so many times that she’s capable of doing things that are theoretically impossible,” he told TNT Sports.
”I believe she’s capable of anything - that’s the first thing.
”As for being level-headed, I don’t think so, and I hope not. That’s one of her greatest qualities.
”If she’d been realistic, she would never have done the exceptional things she’s done because she would have told herself it wasn’t possible.”
'Dangerous' dark horse in women's draw
Keothavong also shared her thoughts on the current state of the women’s draw at the French Open, as the tournament approaches its second week.
While the big names have not quite tumbled like in the men’s draw, there is still plenty of scope for shocks.
Keothavong highlighted 36-year-old Sorana Cirstea, who yesterday bagged a double bagel on her way to the fourth round, as a player who could challenge the more established stars.
The former British star said: "She announced last year that this would be her last year on tour.
”I'm not sure there's been enough noise about it, but she's a dangerous player, broken inside the world's top 20 for the first time in her career at the age of 36.
”It's really impressive. She's captured my imagination in the women's draw."
Keothavong also attempted to pick a favourite out of the top seeds but believes it's one of the most open women’s tournaments in a while.
She said: ”It's so difficult, even at the start of the tournament, it was difficult for me to name one person, it could be one of many.
”I really find it hard to pick one. Sabalenka being top seed, but she didn't come into this year's Roland Garros with many clay-court wins under her belt and a couple of surprising losses: Iga Swiatek, Marta Kostyuk, Elina Svitolina, Sorana Cirstea.
”This year it does feel like there is no obvious contender. There are a pool of players you can choose from.”
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