Serena Williams defeated in Berlin Open doubles ahead of Wimbledon return

Serena Williams made her return to the court at the Berlin Open, suffering a straight-sets defeat in the women's doubles alongside her partner Karolina Muchova. The loss came just hours after Williams confirmed her participation in Wimbledon, marking her first Grand Slam singles appearance since 2017.

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I felt pretty good out there. I felt actually more nimble and more sturdy and quicker than the first match in Queens. I felt overall pretty good, just physically and quickness. I think you need a lot of quickness on grass.

Williams and Muchova fell to Mexico's Giuliana Olmos and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand, 6-4, 6-4. The American tennis icon acknowledged feeling physically better than in her previous match at Queen's Club, noting she felt "more nimble and more sturdy and quicker." However, she admitted to lacking rhythm, particularly in the early stages of the match, after a nearly four-year hiatus from singles competition.

"I felt overall pretty good, just physically and quickness. I think you need a lot of quickness on grass," Williams said after the doubles match. She also joked about her choice of doubles partner, saying, "Czech players have given me nothing but trouble throughout my whole career. So if you can't beat them, join them."

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Czech players have given me nothing but trouble throughout my whole career. So if you can't beat them, join them.

The 44-year-old Williams stepped away from tennis in 2022, citing a desire to play in front of her two young daughters. Despite showing glimpses of her former dominance, including a powerful serve and trademark forehand, she indicated that a singles return at Wimbledon is not yet on the cards. "You think I'm ready for singles?" she asked reporters. "I need to get to work."

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You think I'm ready for singles? I need to get to work.