10 June,2026 07:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Serena Williams (Pic: AFP)
After nearly four years away from professional tennis, former World No. 1 Serena Williams proved that she is still good enough to compete during a victorious return at Queen's Club on Tuesday.
The 44-year-old icon unleashed serves reaching 120 mph and struck several fierce winners alongside her 19-year-old Canadian partner, Victoria Mboko. The duo secured a 7-6 (2), 6-2 victory over third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe, marking Williams' first competitive match since the 2022 U.S. Open.
They advance to face Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund in the quarterfinals.
"It was so fun. I had so much fun playing with Victoria," Williams said in an on-court interview. "We've never played together but it just felt so natural playing with her."
Later, Williams offered a more critical self-assessment: "A C-minus," she remarked, before adding, "With all the elements, considering coming back on grass is probably not the easiest surface. ... Grass, four years. Overall, I think it was decent."
Her performance was impressive given the opposition; Routliffe is a two-time U.S. Open doubles champion, while Melichar-Martinez has reached finals at both Wimbledon and New York. While Williams occasionally appeared a bit slower, her competitiveness remained intact.
Mboko, the world No. 9 in singles, praised her legendary partner: "I thought she was moving great. There was that one shot you hit, remember, you were on the run, on the backhand, and I was like, Oh, my gosh, she's got it," she said.
The crowd at Andy Murray Arena gave Williams a massive standing ovation. This marked her debut at the venue, which revived its women's event in 2025 after a 50-year gap.
Williams is scheduled to play doubles at the Berlin Open next week, but she has not committed to playing at Wimbledon on June 29.
"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." Williams said.
Williams, who won 23 Grand Slam singles and 14 major doubles titles, previously stated in 2022 that she was simply 'evolving' away from the sport.
