Serena Williams made a successful return to tennis after 4 years in retirement because the American legend partnered Victoria Mboko in a first-round doubles victory on the Queen’s Membership on Tuesday (June 9, 2026).
Williams rolled again the years alongside Canadian teenager Mboko in a 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 win over third seeds Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez on the grass-court match in west London.
It was like she had by no means been away because the 44-year-old produced her trademark thunderous serve and fearsome ground-strokes to the delight of a capability crowd, together with her two younger daughters Olympia and Adira and husband Alexis Ohanian.
After showing to finish her glittering profession 4 years in the past, the 23-time Grand Slam champion shocked the sporting world on Monday (June 8, 2026) together with her shock announcement that she would compete within the Queen’s Membership doubles.
Williams’ determination to choose up a racquet in a aggressive setting for the primary time since dropping to Ajla Tomljanovic on the 2022 US Open had sparked questions concerning the knowledge of her transfer.
Would one of many sport’s all-time greats be capable to strategy her previous excellence, or would she be a shadow of her former self?
Williams hadn’t performed in a match since saying she was “evolving away” from tennis in 2022, so inevitably there have been indicators of rust.
However she delivered a sometimes combative efficiency that can intensify questions over a possible return to singles motion at Wimbledon, which begins later in June.
“It was so enjoyable. I had a lot enjoyable taking part in with Victoria,” Williams stated.
“I by no means obtained to play right here earlier than, it was all the time simply the boys. It feels actually particular to play someplace so iconic.”
“I had nothing higher to do! I obtained bored with sitting at residence. My youngsters are out of faculty for the summer time, so why not?”
Williams, who will participate within the doubles on the Berlin Open from June 15-21, has not received a Grand Slam singles title because the 2017 Australian Open.
On Sunday (June 7, 2026), she performed down solutions that she would prolong her return to singles competitors.
However she has received the Wimbledon singles trophy seven occasions and the prospect of competing on the All England Membership in some capability will probably be onerous to withstand, particularly if she continues her run at Queen’s.
Again in model
Wearing a white high, pink skirt and matching sneakers, Williams arrived on court docket to cheers and a standing ovation from the capability crowd within the Andy Murray Area.
As former Olympic snowboarding gold medallist Lindsey Vonn watched from the stands, followers held up indicators saying ‘Welcome again Serena’.
Providing solely a short wave in acknowledgement of the acclaim, Williams was firmly targeted on her first aggressive match for 1,375 days.
The primary level of Williams’ return was served by Mboko and led to her companion sending a volley out with out the American hitting a shot.
Williams’ first contact of the ball got here on the following level when she dumped a volley into the web.
She made amends by hitting the primary winner of her comeback with one other volley to the delight of the group.
Williams’ ground-strokes had been hit with sufficient accuracy to maintain her within the rallies, whereas her aggressive instincts had been as sturdy as ever.
She celebrated with a clenched fist after a ferocious smash secured a break for a 4-1 lead.
Williams had stated the prospect to play in entrance of her kids was the driving power behind her sensational return and he or she offered a memorable second for them.
After unleashing an excellent backhand winner from an acute angle off the court docket, she broke right into a broad grin and unfold her arms out in a gesture that recommended she was stunning even herself.
Williams had no downside approaching the devastating service velocity of her glory days, thudding down one unreturnable supply that reached 120mph late within the first set.
She roared “lets go” after the pair raced by means of the tie-break to take the opening set.
The 19-year-old Mboko was the driving power within the second set, incomes admiring fist-bumps from Williams as she unloaded winner after winner.
Fittingly although, it was Serena’s deadly serve sealed a victory 4 years within the making.
Printed – June 10, 2026 06:49 am IST
