Andy Williams, the 44-year-old British tennis icon, is set to make a competitive return at the Queen’s Club Championships, partnering with a yet-to-be-named doubles specialist. The announcement, made by the tournament organisers on Tuesday, marks a surprising comeback for a player whose last ATP appearance was in 2019. Williams, a former world number one in singles and a three-time Grand Slam champion, has not competed on grass since 2017.
His participation in the doubles draw, scheduled for next week, is seen as a strategic move to test his fitness ahead of a potential Wimbledon wildcard. The Queen’s Club, a traditional warm-up event for Wimbledon, presents a low-risk platform for Williams to gauge his current level against younger opponents. Analysts note that while his movement may have slowed, his court craft and serve remain formidable.
The British public will watch with interest as Williams attempts to defy the physical constraints of age. His return also raises questions about the depth of British tennis, with few home-grown talents breaking into the top 100. The LTA has not commented on whether it supports Williams’s comeback, but a strong performance at Queen’s could influence decisions on future wildcards.
