Victoria Mboko Shares Feelings on Playing Doubles With Serena Williams in Queen’s

Serena Williams is planning to make her eagerly anticipated return to professional tennis at the 2026 Queen’s Club Championships in London. The former World No.1, who waved goodbye to the sport four years ago, is now keen on returning and will play in the doubles alongside Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko.

It’s been reported that nothing has been finalized regarding her return to tour, but Williams is eager to make her comeback to the women’s circuit since February 22, having completed six months in the drug-testing pool. The 44-year-old and Mboko would need a wildcard at the Queen’s Club doubles category.

According to the rules of the Queen’s Championship, there are only two wildcards in the doubles. One of them is reserved for a team that includes a former World No. 1, a Grand Slam champion from the past 10 years, or a current top-30 player on tour. Williams fits into any of these options, which makes it more likely for her to pick a wildcard at the event.

However, it is believed that Williams return to the sport is geared towards competing in next month’s Wimbledon Championship. She has won seven women’s singles and seven doubles titles at the All England Club. The last time she played at the tournament was in 2022, when she crashed out in the opening round.

Mboko, who is reported to partner with Williams, is seeking a good run at the French Open. She’s into the third round of the tournament and just one win away from passing her record from last year in Paris. Speaking to reporters after her match on Thursday (May 28), Mboko admitted that she has been in touch with Williams, while adding that the 23-time major winner will return on her own terms:

I’m very happy. Me and Serena have stayed in touch. Which is really really nice because I really look up to her. The fact that she even knows me is very exciting. I think for me I wanna kinda leave the moment for her. I feel like if she’s ready to come back on her own terms, then I feel like it’s up to her to announce that. Other than that, I don’t have much to say. The moment is all up to her and when she’s ready to come back. It’s up to her.

Patrick Mouratoglou, a legendary coach who coached Williams to 10 Grand Slam titles, is reportedly not part of her team ahead of her return to tour. Rather, Williams’ longtime hitting partner, Jarmere Jenkins, and Rennae Stubbs, who coached Williams at the 2022 US Open, are expected to work with her.

Victoria Mboko books her place in the third round of the French Open

Victoria Mboko reached the final of the Strasbourg Open before heading to Paris for the Roland Garros. She disappointedly failed to win the title as Emma Navarro shockingly upset her on the clay court. However, at the French Open, she has continued with the momentum, playing good tennis and winning matches.

On Thursday (May 28), she showcased her resolve on the court, overcoming Katerina Siniakova in three sets. The 19-year-old began the match poorly, hitting unforced errors that later mounted to 29, and paid dearly for it as the women’s doubles Olympic gold medalist won the opening set.

Mboko reacted as expected in the second set, changing her tactics by coming closer to the net quickly to put the pressure on Siniakova. That worked brilliantly as she quickly forced a decider. The third set was arguably her most confident display of the match, as she limited the Czech Republic star to a few rallies and claimed the points quickly.

After two hours and 38 minutes of play, the World No.9 claimed the 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 win, to reach the third round of the French Open. She will face former Australian Open champion Madison Keys next on the court. They have previously met just once on the court, with Mboko defeating Keys at the January tournament on a hard court.

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