Serena Williams marked her return to professional tennis with a triumphant doubles victory at Queen's Club, partnering with 19-year-old Victoria Mboko to defeat the third-seeded duo of Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe 7-6 (2), 6-2. The match, played on the Andy Murray Arena, saw Williams, now 44, compete for the first time since the 2022 US Open, a gap of 1,375 days.
A Comeback Unlike Any Other
The buildup to Williams's return was unconventional. Speculation began in December when her name appeared on the drug testing pool, prompting her to deny a comeback on social media. However, she officially confirmed her participation in the Queen's doubles event last Monday during the French Open.
Williams, a 23-time singles Grand Slam champion and 16-time doubles Grand Slam winner, had previously described her departure from the sport as "evolving" rather than retiring, though she had signed retirement documents.
Match Highlights
Despite a rusty start, Williams's serve proved decisive. At 5-5 in the first set, she fired a 120mph ace to swing momentum. Her volleying was sharp, and her groundstrokes improved as the match progressed. Mboko, ranked inside the top 10 in singles, took the lead in serving and receiving, allowing Williams to focus on her strengths.
The crowd of 9,000 at Queen's Club roared for Williams, unlike her usual experience of crowds cheering for underdogs. This support rattled Melichar-Martinez and Routliffe, who succumbed to the pressure. Williams sealed the victory with a series of aces and unreturned serves in the final game.
The win propels Williams and Mboko into the quarter-finals, marking a successful first step in Williams's latest chapter in tennis.
