Venus Williams has revealed she is “glad” the news about Serena Williams’s return to tennis has been made public.

Serena made a splash this week when she announced she would be playing tennis again after a 12-month break.

The 40-year-old is set to play in the doubles tournament at Eastbourne alongside Ons Jabeur.

She will also be playing at Wimbledon, set to get underway on June 27th, although it’s not yet known whether this will be in singles or doubles.

"I've been keeping the secret for a long time and I'm just glad it's out," Venus said during a conversation with sports reporter Erin Andrews at BIO2022, a convention for biotechnology and pharmaceutical leaders.

"People say I've heard and you say I don't know, you feel like you are lying. She hasn't played in a year, I haven't played any year. It's going to be great to see her back in action.”

Serena has not featured on the WTA Tour since Wimbledon last year, where she was forced to retire from her first-round match with injury.

There were questions over whether the 23-time Grand Slam winner had quietly retired, but speculation was brought to a halt when she shared an Instagram post revealing she would be playing at Wimbledon.

“SW and SW19. It’s a date. 2022 See you there. Let’s go #renasarmy,” she wrote.

Doubles partner Jabuer, the current world number one, spoke with excitement about playing with Serena.

“Still over the moon with the news,” she said. “Really lucky that she picked me. I cannot wait to play with her. Such a legend.

“I always loved Serena, the way she plays, the way she is on court and outside the court.”

Although Venus has also not officially retired, she has not appeared on the WTA Tour for nearly a year, last playing at the Chicago Open in August.