Serena Williams returns: Sports world reacts to legendary tennis star’s comeback after four years away

Serena Williams is back. After stepping away from tennis in 2022, Williams will make her triumphant return to the sport at the HSBC Championships in June.

It was a shocking announcement. Williams, now 44, hasn’t played a professional tennis match in four years. But given her excellence in the sport and her long layoff, Williams received plenty of support from her fellow athletes after announcing her return to action.

Retired tennis veteran Caroline Wozniacki and Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn — who knows a thing or two about late-career comebacks — were among the early athletes to send their support to Williams.

Both Wozniacki and Vonn responded to an Instagram teaser posted by Williams. In the teaser, Williams’ phone keeps buzzing and ringing. When she walks across the court to grab it, the screen fades to black and the text “guess everybody heard the news” pops up on screen.

Wozniacki responded to the clip with a fire emoji and a clapping emoji. Vonn summed up her thoughts with a “LFG!!” and two flexed biceps emojis.

Track star Allyson Fenix, who recently announced her own comeback, also responded positively to Williams’ news.

Nike, which helped make the teaser Williams posted Monday, joked that Williams might need to change her phone number following the announcement.

A number of tennis Grand Slam social-media accounts took notice of the news. The French Open tweeted out a Williams return post despite the event taking place right now.

Wimbledon also acknowledged Williams’ return.

Some believe Williams could use the HSBC Championships as a tune-up for a possible return to play in Wimbledon later in June. Both Williams and Wimbledon have not commented on whether the 23-time Grand Slam winner would take part in the event one more time.

This story will be updated.