Serena Williams wins comeback doubles match at Queen's Club, keeps Wimbledon decision open
The 44-year-old American returned to competitive tennis alongside Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, defeating the third seeds in straight sets at the Queen's Club WTA event in London.
The return
Serena Williams stepped onto a competitive tennis court for the first time in nearly four years on Tuesday, launching one of the most anticipated comebacks in the sport at the Queen's Club in west London. The 44-year-old American, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, partnered with 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko in the doubles draw. The pair defeated third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 in front of a sold-out crowd. Williams had not played a professional match since the 2022 US Open, a gap of 1,376 days.
- Last professional match at the 2022 US Open before stepping away from competition.
- Williams re-enters the sport's anti-doping pool, signalling a possible return.
- Williams announces she will play the Queen's Club WTA doubles event.
- Wins first-round doubles match with Victoria Mboko, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2.
- Quarter-final scheduled against Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund.
On the court
Williams and Mboko took an early break lead before Williams dropped her second service game, allowing the set to reach 4-4. The American-Canadian duo claimed the tiebreak decisively and broke their opponents twice in the second set. Williams served out the match, closing with back-to-back aces and an unreturned serve. Her serve touched 120 mph at one stage, and she produced a leaping backhand winner down the line that drew gasps from the crowd. Williams rated her own performance a "C-minus," citing pre-match nerves and the difficulty of returning on grass.
I got nervous right before the match, like, maybe 30 minutes before, and then I just let it go. With all the elements, considering coming back on grass is probably not the easiest surface. Overall, it was decent.
Motivation and family
Williams said one motivation for adding another chapter to her career was playing in front of her daughters, eight-year-old Olympia and two-year-old Adira, who were both in London. After the match, she embraced her husband Alexis Ohanian and the children on court. Asked how the girls reacted to the win, Williams said Adira wanted to go to a toy store and Olympia wanted to know what was for dinner. She also gave a simpler reason for returning: she was tired of sitting at home and her children were off school for the summer.
I had nothing better to do. I got a little tired of sitting at home and my kids are out of school for the summer, so why not?
What comes next
Williams and Mboko advance to a quarter-final clash against Leylah Fernandez of Canada and Laura Siegemund of Germany, scheduled for Thursday. Williams has already committed to playing the grass-court tournament in Berlin next week, also in doubles. She has been coy about a singles return, saying she would need more training before considering it. On Wimbledon, where she has won seven singles titles, Williams said she still has time to decide and that organisers have been accommodating.
Like I said the other day, it's just a day at a time. I still have a little time to decide, and they have been great about giving me that space and time to decide.
The atmosphere
Queen's Club, a 130-year-old private club that only reintroduced a women's tournament in 2025, was transformed by Williams's presence. Ticket sales soared and the usually quiet second day of play sold out. Organisers had to turn down credential requests from media outlets worldwide. Fans were on their feet before Williams reached courtside, shouting her name as she warmed up in a pink skirt and jacket. One spectator described the first-round doubles match as feeling more like a final. Williams noted it was her debut at the venue, calling it special to play on such an iconic court that had previously hosted only a men's tournament.
