The Queen’s Club has officially been set ablaze with excitement. Serena Williams has won her first competitive tennis match in nearly four years, making a triumphant return to the court in women’s doubles. Playing alongside 19-year-old Canadian rising star Victoria Mboko, the 44-year-old Williams showed plenty of flashes of her old self. The dynamic duo pulled off a stunning first-round upset, beating No. 3 seeds Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez 7-6(2), 6-2.
Although we have missed seeing her dominant presence on the court, the 23-time Grand Slam winner is already proving she still boasts that legendary competitive spark.
When asked about making a comeback at 44, Williams kept it famously candid. “It was so fun. I had so much fun playing with Victoria,” she shared. “She was able to hold up the team on the big points and I could lean on her. It felt very natural.”
As for what prompted the return? “I don’t know. I had nothing better to do! I was sitting at home. I thought, why not? I never got to play here, it was always just the men. It feels very special to play somewhere so iconic. It’s very cool.”
The admiration on the court goes both ways. Mboko, who is 25 years younger than Williams, was ecstatic about the pairing. “I feel very honoured to play with you Serena, it’s a privilege,” she said after the match. “We’re going for more!”
Fans won’t have to wait long to see them back in action. Williams and Mboko will take the court for the quarterfinals later this week, where they are set to face Canada’s Leylah Fernandez and Germany’s Laura Siegemund. Funnily enough, Fernandez is no stranger to the family. She partnered with Venus Williams in doubles at last season’s US Open.
This is just the beginning of a thrilling summer stretch for the tennis icon. Williams has also taken a doubles wild card at the Berlin Open, all leading up to a highly anticipated, possible Grand Slam appearance at Wimbledon later this month. We can’t wait to watch her chase her next victory.
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