Serena Williams Returns to Tennis with a Victory at Queen’s Club

Serena Williams made her highly anticipated return to tennis at Queen’s Club in London. Fans and spectators around the world watched as the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion partnered with Victoria Mboko in the women’s doubles. This was Williams’ first match in 1,375 days.

Williams’ Triumphant Return

At 44, Williams played alongside 14-time Grand Slam doubles champion Victoria Mboko. Their opponents were the No. 3 seeds Erin Routliffe from New Zealand and Nicole Melichar-Martinez from the U.S. Williams and Mboko won the match in straight sets, 7-6(2), 6-2.

Sarah, a dedicated fan of Williams, traveled from Northern Ireland to witness the game. She attended Williams’ final singles match at the US Open in 2022 and has been a consistent presence at Wimbledon for 14 years. Sarah owns a memorable Wilson racket used by Williams in a match against Laura Robson in 2016.

The Game Unfolds

Williams began the match with swinging backhand volleys, serving initially at 93 mph and quickly increasing to 113 mph. Her familiar playing style and grunt announced her presence on the court. Spectators delighted as Williams demonstrated her skills, hitting strategic shots to capture points.

One highlight came when, after missing a chance to lead 4-1 in the first set, Williams followed with a drop shot to regain control. The crowd erupted when Williams’ backhand winner secured a 5-4 lead in the first set. The team clinched the first set in a tiebreak after 54 minutes, much to the audience’s excitement.

Partnership with Mboko

After the match, Williams expressed joy in playing with Mboko, valuing her contributions during key match points. “It just felt so natural,” Williams remarked in her on-court interview. Fans were excited to see Williams back, scrambling to London after her return announcement on June 1.

Williams’ comeback revived “Rena’s Army,” with fans eager to witness the tennis legend. Mboko, 11 years older than Williams’ daughter Olympia, practiced alongside Williams and even shared a moment with Olympia, who photographed her mother during practice.

The Atmosphere at Queen’s Club

The supportive crowd at Queen’s Club lavished Williams with enthusiasm. Observers could watch practice in short slots, though many quickly queued for more viewing time. Fans rejoiced as Williams and Mboko took to the court. Williams’ family, including her daughters Olympia and Adira and husband Alexis Ohanian, joined in the audience.

At match intervals, Mboko and Williams, both in high spirits, coordinated their strategy. The match concluded with Williams serving two aces and an unreturned serve, validating her choice to partner with Mboko. “It’s such a privilege to play beside you,” Mboko shared in her post-match interview.

The Queen’s Club match exceeded expectations, not only with a win but also in marking Williams’ return. Whether she triumphs again this week is secondary to her fans, who are thrilled to have their champion back in action. Mboko’s role in the victory remains pivotal.