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American tennis player Serena Williams made a winning return to professional tennis on Tuesday as she partnered Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko to a first-round doubles victory at the Queen’s Club.
The duo defeated third seeds Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 at the grass-court tournament in west London.
The 44-year-old American legend delighted a capacity crowd—including her husband and two young daughters—by showcasing her trademark thunderous serve and fearsome groundstrokes.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion had stunned the sporting world just a day prior by announcing her unexpected entry into the event.
Williams had not played a competitive match since the 2022 US Open, sparking widespread questions about whether she could still replicate her past excellence.
Despite some initial signs of rust, Williams delivered a highly combative performance that will likely intensify speculation about a potential singles appearance at Wimbledon later this month.
During the match, Williams thudded down an unreturnable 120mph serve and celebrated key winners with her signature clenched fist.
While the 19-year-old Mboko hit numerous winners to drive the pair through the second set, Williams ultimately sealed the match with a final lethal delivery.
Following the victory, Williams stated that she simply grew tired of sitting at home and wanted to enjoy the game in front of her children before she heads to the Berlin Open next week.
