Serena Williams said she had “so much fun” as the American legend rolled back the years in her triumphant return to tennis in the Queen’s Club doubles.
Four years after appearing to end her glittering career, Williams and Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko powered to a 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 win over third seeds Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez in the first round of the grass-court tournament in west London.
Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, stunned the sporting world a week ago with her shock announcement that she would compete in the Queen’s Club doubles at the age of 44.
“I got nervous like, maybe 30 minutes before, and then I just let it go,” she said. “I didn’t really think about being nervous, I thought about having fun, which I did. “It was so fun. I had so much fun playing with Victoria.
“I never got to play here before, it was always just the men. It feels really special to play somewhere so iconic.”
Williams’ decision to pick up a racket in a competitive setting for the first time since losing to Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open had sparked questions about the wisdom of her move.
Williams has said her return was inspired by a desire to play in front of her children.
It was like she had never been away as Williams produced her trademark thunderous serve and fearsome groundstrokes to the delight of a capacity crowd.
“Oh my god! What do you think? A C-minus?” she said when asked to rate her performance. “All the elements, considering coming back on grass is probably not the easiest surface. On the grass, four years... Overall think it was decent.”
Mboko, ninth in the singles rankings, has no doubts Williams will quickly get back to her best.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
