Serena Williams returns: Tennis stars who retired, returned and recaptured glory

Retirement is supposed to be the final chapter. In tennis, it often turns out to be little more than a pause. Some players walk away believing they have achieved everything they set out to do. Others leave because of injuries, burnout or changing priorities. Yet for a select group of champions, the lure of competition never truly disappears. The result is one of sport's most fascinating phenomena: the comeback.

With Serena Williams reportedly preparing for a return to competitive tennis at the age of 44, it is worth revisiting some of the sport's biggest names who stepped away and later found their way back.

Kim Clijsters: The benchmark for tennis comebacks

When Kim Clijsters retired in 2007, she appeared content with life away from the tour. She got married, became a mother and seemed settled into retirement.

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Then came a surprise return in 2009.

What followed remains one of the most remarkable second acts in tennis history. Clijsters won the US Open just months after her comeback and added two more Grand Slam singles titles before retiring again. Few players have returned from retirement and enjoyed such immediate success.

Former world No 1 Justine Henin was another top player who could not resist the temptation of a comeback. Image: Reuters

Justine Henin: A short but memorable return

Henin retired unexpectedly in 2008 while ranked World No. 1. Less than two years later, she announced her return.

Although injuries prevented her comeback from lasting very long, she quickly reminded everyone of her quality by reaching the Australian Open final in 2010. While she did not add another Grand Slam title, Henin showed she could still compete with the best players in the world.

Martina Hingis: Reinventing herself

Martina Hingis first retired in 2003 at the age of 22 due to persistent injuries. She returned in 2006 and climbed back into the world's top 10.

After stepping away again, Hingis launched another comeback, this time focusing primarily on doubles. The move proved hugely successful. She won numerous Grand Slam doubles and mixed doubles titles, building a second Hall of Fame-worthy chapter to her career.

Jennifer Capriati: From prodigy to champion

Capriati's story is slightly different because her absence was not an official retirement. However, after stepping away from the sport amid personal struggles in the mid-1990s, she rebuilt her career from scratch.

The comeback culminated in three Grand Slam singles titles and the World No. 1 ranking, making hers one of tennis' greatest redemption stories.

Caroline Wozniacki: Returning after motherhood

Wozniacki retired following the 2020 Australian Open, citing a desire to focus on family and life away from tennis.

In 2023, after becoming a mother of two, she returned to the tour. While she has not matched the achievements of her first career, the former World No. 1 has demonstrated that she remains capable of competing at the highest level.

Bjorn Borg (L) and John McEnroe had a very popular rivalry during their playing career. Image: Reuters

Bjorn Borg: The comeback that captured global attention

Few retirements shocked tennis as much as Bjorn Borg's departure from the sport at the age of 26. By then, the Swede had already won 11 Grand Slam singles titles.

His comeback attempt in 1991 generated enormous interest. However, the results never matched the anticipation. Borg struggled to regain his former level and was unable to make a significant impact on the professional tour.

Thomas Muster: One final challenge

Former World No. 1 Thomas Muster returned to professional tennis in 2010 at the age of 42, more than a decade after his initial retirement.

The Austrian did not enjoy major success during his comeback, but his return highlighted the enduring competitive drive that often motivates former champions to test themselves once more.