Serena returns: Williams makes winning comeback in doubles at Queen’s Club

Serena Williams reportedly made a successful return to professional tennis on Tuesday, winning her first match in nearly four years at the Queen’s Club grass court tournament in London. A 44-year-old American star partnered with 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko to defeat third seeded Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe 7-6 (2), 6-2 in the opening round of the doubles competition.

Williams reportedly delivered serves reaching speeds of up to 120 mph and hit several powerful winners throughout the match. The former world number one finished the contest in style, serving two aces and a service winner to secure victory for her team.

The win marked Williams first professional match since her farewell appearance at the 2022 US Open. Williams and Mboko will now face Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund in the quarterfinals.

Speaking after the match, Williams reportedly said that she and Mboko had never played together, but it felt natural. However, Williams modestly rated her performance as a C-minus, saying that returning to competition on grass courts after four years was a difficult challenge.

Mboko praised her partner’s performance and reportedly said she was impressed by Williams movement and ability to produce remarkable shots under pressure. The Canadian teenager, considered one of the rising stars of women’s tennis, said playing alongside Williams was a special experience.

Williams reportedly said it was particularly meaningful to compete at Queen’s Club because she never had the opportunity to play there during her career. The venue, which has hosted championships since 1881, recently brought women’s tennis back after an absence of more than 50 years.

Although Williams is scheduled to play doubles at the Berlin Open next week, she has not yet decided whether she will continue her comeback at Wimbledon, which begins on June 29. 

Williams stepped away from professional tennis in 2022 after an extraordinary career that included 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles. She won seven Wimbledon singles championships and six Wimbledon doubles titles with her sister Venus Williams, making her one of the most successful players in tennis history.