London, June 1 -- Tennis legend Serena Williams is set to make a return to professional tennis at the age of 44 at next week's HSBC Championships at Queen's Club, marking her first competitive appearance since the 2022 US Open.

Williams has not played on the professional circuit since her defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic at the US Open in 2022. At the time, she described her decision as "evolving away" from tennis rather than formally retiring, as per Sky Sports.

The 23-time Grand Slam women's champion has been handed a wild-card entry in the women's doubles draw at Queen's and is expected to team up with Canadian rising star Victoria Mboko.

Her return has fuelled speculation over a possible appearance at Wimbledon Championships later this m...