Well, look what the cat dragged in! Just when you thought we'd packed away the 'greatest of all time' discussions for a quiet retirement, Serena Williams has decided to grace us with her presence once more. The 23-time Grand Slam winner – yes, you read that right, *twenty-three* – is lacing up her tennis shoes for a competitive return next week at the HSBC Championships at Queen's.
Presumably, the quiet life of not dominating professional tennis became utterly unbearable, because Serena is back in the mix. She’ll be partnering with Victoria Mboko, and one can only imagine the sheer pressure of being on the same side of the net as a living legend who probably expects nothing less than perfection, and perhaps a small offering of tribute.
Their formidable first-round opponents? None other than the seasoned duo of Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe. This pair will undoubtedly be well aware that facing Serena, even in doubles, is less a match and more a historical event. One can almost hear the collective gasp of the tennis world as the draw was announced.
So, get ready, tennis faithful. The queen is back on her throne, or at least, on a doubles court at Queen's. Whether she's there for a gentle re-introduction or to prove she still has a few more trophies to collect is anyone's guess. But either way, it's going to be a spectacle.