Serena Williams, alongside Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, triumphed in their opening doubles match at the Queen’s Club, marking Williams’s first appearance on the WTA Tour in nearly four years. The duo secured a victory against Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe with a score of 7-6 (7/2), 6-2.
Williams’s return to competitive tennis at the prestigious London venue has generated significant excitement in the sports community. The 44-year-old, who is a mother of two, recently announced her decision to accept a wildcard entry to partner with Mboko in this grass-court event. Her presence has captivated attention and reignited interest in her remarkable career.
Despite her long absence from the sport, Williams displayed her characteristic power and determination during the match. “It was so much fun, it felt so natural playing with Vicky,” she remarked happily after their victory. Williams added, “I guess I’ve got nothing better to do, I’m tired of sitting at home, my kids are out of school this summer, so why not?”
With 23 Grand Slam singles titles and an impressive 319 weeks ranked as the world number one, Williams is often hailed as the greatest female tennis player in history. Although she had not formally announced her retirement, she described her decision to step back from tennis as an evolution rather than an end. Following her emotional exit from the US Open in September 2022, few anticipated her return to the sport.
As she stepped onto the court at Queen’s, just a short distance from Wimbledon—where she has claimed seven singles titles—Williams looked at ease under the late-afternoon sun. Her appearance drew a packed crowd, with even the members’ balcony filled to capacity. Fans cheered her on enthusiastically as she made her entrance onto the pristine grass of the Andy Murray Arena.
Supporters erupted with chants of “Let’s go, Serena!” as she executed a powerful volley, quickly establishing momentum in the match. Her formidable serve remained a key asset, including an impressive 120 miles per hour serve during the first set, which they ultimately clinched in a tiebreaker.
Despite the age difference—Williams had already won seven major singles titles before Mboko was born—the pair exhibited remarkable chemistry, enjoying each other’s company and the occasion. “She was moving great,” Mboko noted, expressing her admiration for Williams’s skill. “There was one shot she hit and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, she’s got it.’”
The second set proved to be more straightforward for the duo as Williams achieved the 1,051st win of her illustrious career, successfully holding serve thanks to two aces. Fans traveled from various locations to witness the return of a trailblazer who has significantly advanced women’s tennis.
Williams, who has won 14 major doubles titles alongside her sister Venus, is set to compete in upcoming doubles matches in Berlin and may make a remarkable comeback at Wimbledon later this month.
