Serena Williams made a triumphant return to professional tennis after nearly four years away from the sport. The 44-year-old American, who last played at the 2022 US Open, secured her first victory since then in the doubles event at Queen's Club in London.
Dominant Display in Doubles
Partnering with Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, Williams defeated the third-seeded pair of Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe with a score of 7-6 (7-2), 6-2. The unseeded duo showcased impressive chemistry despite never having played together before.
As Williams walked onto the grass court at the Andy Murray Arena, she received a standing ovation from the crowd. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion delivered a strong performance, demonstrating her enduring skill and athleticism.
Next Round Opponents
Williams and Mboko will now face Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund in the quarter-finals. Fernandez and Siegemund advanced after defeating Alexandra Panova and Demi Schuurs in a three-set battle, 6-2, 2-6, 11-9.
Williams Reflects on Her Comeback
After the match, Williams expressed her enjoyment of playing with Mboko. "I had so much fun playing with Vicky," Williams said on court. "She really was able to hold up the team and play big on the big points - I could really rely on her. We've never played together, but it just felt so natural playing with her so it was a lot of fun."
When asked about her decision to return at Queen's, Williams joked, "I had nothing better to do - I got tired of sitting at home! My kids are out of school for the summer so why not?! I never got to play here during my singles career, it was always just the men, but it feels so special to play at some place so iconic and where I saw so many of my friends win."
Future Plans
Williams had previously stated she was "evolving" away from tennis rather than retiring outright in 2022. She emphasized that she has "nothing to prove" in her competitive comeback. The 14-time Grand Slam doubles champion is scheduled to compete in the doubles event at the Berlin Open in Germany next week. However, she has not yet confirmed whether she will participate at Wimbledon, which begins on June 29.
