Serena Williams will partner Karolina Muchova at this week’s Berlin Open – live on Sky Sports – as the 23-time Grand Slam champion re-debuts at 593 in the doubles rankings.
Williams’ comeback in HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club ended prematurely after her doubles partner Victoria Mboko was forced to withdraw with a left knee injury.
After almost four years away, Williams will continue her comeback in Berlin – live on Sky Sports Tennis – and could seek a wildcard for the Wimbledon Championships.
The 44-year-old American great will partner world No. 10 Karolina Muchova in the women’s doubles against Giuliana Olmos and Erin Routliffe with the match scheduled for Tuesday at Steffi Graf Stadium.
The winner of that clash will take on third seeds Melichar-Martinez and Sara Errani or Chinese duo Jiang Xinyu and Xu Yifan in the second round, while top seeds Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic can await in the semi-finals.
Second seeds Elise Mertens and Zhang Shuai headline the bottom half of the draw, starting their campaign against Tereza Mihalikova and Olivia Nicholls with fourth seeds Ellen Perez and Demi Schuur expected semi-final opponents.
WTA doubles rankings
“Every tournament I add to my schedule right now feels special and Berlin is no exception,” the American said of playing in Berlin.
“I’m excited to compete in front of the German fans and continue to build momentum through the grass court season.”
Neither Williams nor the All England Club have confirmed whether she will play Wimbledon later this month.
“It’s just one day at a time,” Williams said of playing the third major of the season. “I still have some time to make up my mind, and they’ve been good at giving me that space and time to make up my mind.”
Murray gives verdict on Williams’ return
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Judy Murray discusses Williams’ comeback to tennis
Judy Murray said Williams played at an “incredibly high level” at Queen’s and was impressed by her performance.
“I’m not sure anyone expected her to come back when she retired, I think it was back in 2022,” she shared. Sky Sports.
“She’s got her two kids now, but she’s been playing a load; she’s obviously got herself in really good shape, fit, ready to compete again.
“I guess she probably missed it a lot too.
“I saw a clip where she said it was really important to her that her kids saw her play so they knew who she was and what she did.
“I absolutely loved the fact that her husband and her children were at the farm to greet her when she left.
“But she showed that she is still playing at a remarkably high level, playing doubles with Victoria Mboko at the WTA event at Queen’s and winning her first match!
“And a huge support from the crowd there and a huge fan base behind her, it’s fantastic, another mum successfully getting back into the game, brilliant.”
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