ONDON, England — Serena Williams marked her long-awaited return to professional tennis with a winning performance at the Queen’s Club Championships, nearly four years after her last competitive match.
The 44-year-old tennis legend teamed up with Canadian rising star Victoria Mboko to defeat the third-seeded doubles pair of Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe in straight sets, 7-6 (2), 6-2, during the opening round of the grass-court tournament in London. The victory marked Williams’ first professional match since the 2022 U.S. Open.
Despite her lengthy absence from the sport, Williams displayed flashes of the power and athleticism that helped her become one of the most successful players in tennis history. She delivered serves reaching approximately 120 mph and closed out the match with two aces followed by a service winner, drawing loud applause from the packed crowd at the Andy Murray Arena.
Speaking after the match, Williams said she enjoyed competing alongside Mboko and felt comfortable despite the partnership being a new one.
Although pleased with the result, Williams offered a modest assessment of her own performance, describing it as a “C-minus” while acknowledging the challenge of returning to competition on grass after nearly four years away from the tour.
The victory was particularly impressive considering the quality of the opposition. Routliffe is a multiple Grand Slam doubles champion, while Melichar-Martinez has previously reached Grand Slam doubles finals at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
Mboko, one of the fastest-rising players on the WTA Tour, praised Williams’ movement and shot-making ability, noting that the former world No. 1 still possesses the skills that made her a dominant force in women’s tennis for more than two decades.
Williams received a standing ovation upon entering the court, highlighting the excitement surrounding her comeback. Family members, including her husband and daughters, were present to witness the milestone moment.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion has not yet confirmed whether she will compete at Wimbledon later this month. Williams stated that she plans to take her comeback “one day at a time” before making a final decision regarding additional tournaments.
Her successful return has reignited excitement throughout the tennis world, with fans and analysts eager to see whether one of the sport’s greatest champions will extend her comeback during the remainder of the 2026 season.
