Serena Williams adds Berlin doubles to comeback tour

Serena Williams has added this month's WTA Tour stop in Berlin to her comeback tour after a nearly four-year hiatus.

Organizers confirmed Friday that Williams will play doubles at the tournament in Germany that begins on June 15.

"Every tournament I add to my schedule right now feels special, and Berlin is no exception," Williams said on berlintennisopen.com. "I'm excited to compete in front of the German fans and continue building momentum throughout the grass-court season."

Williams, 44, returns to pro tennis next week with doubles partner Victoria Mboko, 19, of Canada at the grass-court HSBC Championships at Queen's Club in London.

Her doubles partner for the tournament in Berlin, also played on grass, has not been confirmed.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion has not played since losing in the third round at the U.S. Open in 2022. Speculation about a potential return to the tour began last year when she re-entered the anti-doping program, a prerequisite for competition.