Victoria Mboko states potential doubles partner Serena Williams to decide on comeback

[p]The 44-year-old [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/williams-serena/ttsu68nH/"]Williams[/a] has not played since a third-round loss at the 2022 US Open left her one short of the all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, now jointly held by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/navarro-margaret/MDqt4qiS/"]Margaret Court[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/djokovic-novak/AZg49Et9/"]Novak Djokovic[/a].[/p][p]Several media reports Thursday claimed the American could play the grass-court season and had asked for a wildcard to compete in doubles at Queen's.[/p][p]The Served podcast, hosted by former men's world number one [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/roddick-andy/UDkyswKh/"]Andy Roddick[/a], on Thursday said Williams was set to partner Canadian rising star [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mboko-victoria/AqVez8TJ/"]Mboko[/a] in London at Queen's, which starts on June 8.[/p][p]"[b]I think for me I want to kind of let the moment (be) for her,[/b]" Mboko told reporters after reaching the French Open third round.[/p][p]"[b]I feel like if she's ready to come back on her own terms, then I feel like it's up to her to announce that.[/b][/p][p]"[b]Other than that I don't really have much to say. I think the moment is all up to her and when she's ready to come back. Yeah, it's up to her.[/b]"[/p][embed guid="26cc3c49-8943-4449-9749-5457f36647a2" url="https://x.com/TennisChannel/status/2060018670659592549?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Williams said four years ago she did not want to use the word "retiring" but instead explained she was "evolving" away from tennis.[/p][p]She fuelled rumours she could be planning a comeback after registering with the sport's drug-testing body last year.[/p][p]At the time she denied she was planning a return to competitive tennis by posting on social media: "[b]Omg y'all, I'm NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy[/b]."[/p][p]"[b]I think it's good for me. I'll be very entertained,[/b]" said [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/osaka-naomi/MDM4BKiA/"]Naomi Osaka[/a], who famously beat Williams in the 2018 US Open final, when asked if she would watch a comeback match from Serena.[/p][p]"[b]But I mean, overall the scope of it, I think it will bring people to watch tennis, which she always does bring an audience with her.[/b][/p][p]"[b]So, yeah, I think it's good. I'm going to be tuned into the first match, for sure. I think a lot of people are.[/b][/p][p]"[b]I feel like for me everyone knows Serena and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/williams-venus/M7dojKaa/"]Venus[/a] were my role models growing up, so it's going to be cool to see her on the grounds again[/b]."[/p][h2]'Biggest regret' not facing Serena[/h2][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gauff-coco/f5BXmEH6/"]Coco Gauff[/a] said she would love to face Serena for the first time, having never had the opportunity earlier in her career despite breaking onto the tour in 2019.[/p][p]"[b]I did say one of my biggest regrets was not being able to play her,[/b]" said the reigning French Open champion.[/p][p]"[b]Everybody has been hearing rumours and stuff. So if they are true, I guess we'll find out in a couple days based off the rumours.[/b][/p][p]"[b]We'll see, but I think it would be cool for this sport to have a legend back playing.[/b]"[/p][p]Serena's older sister Venus ended a 16-month hiatus from professional tennis last year and played at both the 2025 US Open and the Australian Open earlier this season.[/p][p]Venus said the "only thing" that would have made her being back on court better would have been if Serena had also returned.[/p][p]Serena had already won eight Grand Slam titles by the time [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/jovic-iva/bmWvBlnL/"]Iva Jovic[/a], who reached the last 32 at Roland Garros for the first time on Thursday, was born.[/p][p]"[b]It's really cool. I have never seen Serena in real life[/b]," said American teenager Jovic.[/p][p]"[b]Obviously I grew up watching her. In my entire childhood she was dominating tennis, so it's going to be incredible.[/b]"[/p]