LA Native Serena Williams Explains Why She Is Returning to Tennis

After nearly four years away from the sport, tennis legend Serena Williams is making a historic comeback at the HBSC Championships. She is scheduled to play doubles with Victoria Mboko on Tuesday.

In a press conference at the HBSC Championships on Sunday, Williams explained why she decided to return to tennis.

“Well, why not? For lack of a better explanation,” Williams said.

Before Williams played her last match at the 2022 US Open, she announced she would be stepping away from tennis. She intentionally avoided using the word “retiring” and explained her departure as “evolving away” from the sport.

In a recent interview with Nike, Williams said she missed playing tennis and just wants to have fun.

“I just want to have fun,” Williams said. “I want to travel and I want to enjoy myself. I’ve always enjoyed tennis, but this time it’s from a different angle. Every time I watched a tournament, I missed it. I miss the atmosphere. I miss the court.”

Williams Wants to Add to Her Very Decorated Career

Williams is a 23-time Grand Slam champion and a four-time Olympic gold medalist. She is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, so she said her return is not focused on winning.

“I don’t need to win,” Williams said. “I’ve won more than most people have in their whole lives, so it’s not that important to me, and it’s important that I keep reminding myself of that, because I don’t have anything to prove.

“I don’t have anything to lose, and everything here is just to gain.”

Williams also said part of the reason she is returning to tennis is so her daughters can watch her play and see the impact she has made on the sport.

“This moment is for my daughters too. I want them to see what a strong woman I am, who I am. Now, they’ll be able to see what I do and the impact that I’ve had,” Williams said in the interview with Nike.

After the HBSC Championships, Williams is set to play doubles at the Berlin Tennis Open that begins on June 15.

Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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