TENNIS: Up to Serena to announce potential comeback and partnership, says Mboko

PARIS — Victoria Mboko says it is up to American tennis great Serena Williams to announce her comeback to the sport, as media speculation intensifies about their potential doubles partnership at next month’s Queen's Club Championships in London.

Williams, who won the last of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles in 2017 and has not competed since the 2022 U.S. Open, can officially enter tournaments after rejoining the tennis anti-doping testing pool last year.

The 44-year-old stated in August 2022 that she was "evolving away from tennis" and has not responded to Reuters' requests for comment regarding a comeback. She has previously denied that she was preparing to return to the sport she dominated for two decades.

However, multiple British media reports on Thursday indicated that Williams will team up with the 19-year-old Canadian Mboko after requesting a wild card for the doubles tournament at Queen's Club.

"Yeah, I'm very happy. Serena and I have stayed in touch, which is really nice because I really look up to her. The fact that she even knows me is very exciting," Mboko told reporters at the French Open, stopped short of confirming Williams' return.

"I feel like if she's ready to come back on her own terms, then it's up to her to announce that. Other than that, I don't really have much to say. I think the moment is all up to her, and when she's ready to come back."

Reuters has sought comment from the organizers of the Queen's event, which gets underway in London on June 8.

Mboko, who won her Roland Garros second-round match against Katerina Siniakova late Thursday, said she remains in touch with Williams and is delighted that the American icon follows her results on the women's circuit.

"She has texted me. I can't really tell you the exact date... but it's really cool that she follows the results. She knows who I am. I looked up to her—she's my idol, so it's really cool," Mboko added. "I remember watching her at the U.S. Open on TV and then seeing her in person. I feel like it was hard not to like her because she won everything. She was such a great role model and such an inspiration to so many young girls out there." -Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Paris; Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters