Requested if she felt satisfaction in proving individuals fallacious, she mentioned: “No, as a result of I am not right here for anybody else aside from me.”
“I’ve nothing to show. Zip. Zero.
“I am right here for me as a result of I wish to be right here. And proving anybody fallacious or fascinated with anybody has by no means gotten me a win and has by no means gotten me a loss.”
Williams, who gained 14 Grand Slams within the doubles alongside sister Serena, final gained a singles match in August 2023.
Though Williams by no means mentioned she had retired, she was listed by the WTA as ‘inactive’ after 16 months out.
On Monday she made her return within the doubles alongside compatriot Hailey Baptiste as they beat Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6-3 6-1 within the final 16.
Williams, a former world primary, had gained 4 Grand Slam titles by the point Stearns was born in 2001.
“She performed some ball tonight,” Stearns mentioned.
“She was transferring very well, which I wasn’t anticipating an excessive amount of, truthfully. Her serves had been simply on hearth.”
Williams will face Polish fifth seed Magdalena Frech within the second spherical.
