Serena Williams will team up with Czech Karolina Muchova at the Berlin Open next week, marking the former’s first doubles partnership since resuming her comeback at Queen’s. The 44‑year‑old Grand Slam legend returned earlier this week, pairing with Victoria Mboko to defeat third‑seeds Routliffe and Melichar‑Martinez before withdrawing due to Mboko’s injury.

Muchova, ranked No.10 on the WTA ladder and a two‑time Wimbledon quarter‑finalist, expressed excitement at the prospect of sharing the court with Serena Williams. She said the opportunity “doesn’t happen every day” and hopes the pairing will be enjoyable. Williams’ return adds star power to a field already featuring several rising doubles teams.

Mboko’s medial collateral ligament tear ends her grass‑court run and removes a potential Wimbledon contender, underscoring the physical toll of a compressed schedule. With Williams and Muchova set to debut together, the Berlin Open gains a high‑profile storyline that could influence seedings and draw attention ahead of the Grand Slam.

Tickets for the Berlin Open have surged since the announcement, with fans eager to watch the veteran champion alongside a top‑ten singles player. Organisers expect higher broadcast ratings and increased sponsor interest, positioning the event as a showcase for the sport’s resurgence after a pandemic‑affected season.