Serena Williams marks return with win at Queen's Club

Tennis icon Serena Williams made a triumphant return to the court after a nearly four-year hiatus, securing a victory at Queen's Club on Tuesday. The American superstar, who recently accepted a wildcard to play doubles with Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, immediately showed she still possesses her signature competitive fire.

Williams, 44, combined her power and experience with Mboko to overcome the formidable third-seeded duo of Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe. The pair won the match 7-6(2), 6-2, with Williams demonstrating little sign of rustiness despite the extended break from professional play.

“

It was so much fun, it felt so natural playing with Vicky.

Her performance was marked by her trademark aggression and intensity, proving her enduring presence in the sport. After the match, Williams shared her enthusiasm for being back on the court. "It was so much fun, it felt so natural playing with Vicky," she told reporters, as quoted by Reuters. "I guess I've got nothing better to do, I'm tired of sitting at home, my kids are out of school this summer so why not?"

Williams last won a Grand Slam singles title at the 2017 Australian Open, a victory achieved while she was in the early stages of pregnancy. Since then, she reached four major singles finals but was unable to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles. Her return to doubles play at Queen's Club signals a potential new chapter in her illustrious career.

“

I guess I've got nothing better to do, I'm tired of sitting at home, my kids are out of school this summer so why not?