Serena Williams to return to pro tennis at 44, after nearly 4 years away
Paris, June 1: Serena Williams is returning to professional tennis at age 44 after nearly four years away from the sport. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion has accepted a wild card invitation to play doubles at the upcoming Queen’s Club grass-court tournament, the WTA Tour announced Monday. The Queen’s Club tournament starts next Monday and the WTA said Williams will play “with a partner to be announced in due course.” Williams has not competed since bidding farewell at the 2022 US Open. At the time, Williams said she didn’t want to use the word “retiring” and instead declared that she was “evolving” away from tennis. Williams, who has also won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, became eligible to compete in February after re-registering with tennis’ mandatory anti-doping program six months earlier – which is the first step toward a comeback. (AP)
PM, Shah laud Indian team for Asian U-20 Athletics C’ships show
New Delhi, June 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated the Indian contingent for its stellar show at the 22nd Asian U-20 Athletics Championship which recently concluded in Hong Kong. India won 19 medals, including 10 gold. The most notable performance was from High Jumper Pooja, who broke a two-decade old national record with an effort of 1.93 metres. “Congratulations to the Indian contingent at the 22nd Asian U20 Athletics Championships for winning 19 medals, including 10 Golds. This outstanding performance reflects the determination and excellence of India’s young athletes. May these achievements inspire many more young Indians to pursue sports in the years to come,” PM Modi wrote on ‘X’. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Monday, also congratulated the Indian contingent, terming the rich medial haul a “signature of India’s unstoppable sporting prowess”. In a message posted on X, the Home Minister said, “Bravo to the Indian contingent at the 22nd Asian U20 Athletics Championships 2026 held in Hong Kong.” “Your feat of winning 19 medals, including 10 golds, is the signature of India’s unstoppable sporting prowess that will inspire legions of athletes across the nation,” he said. (PTI)
