Serena Williams Makes Winning Return in Queen's Club Doubles Comeback

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Serena Williams marked her return to competitive tennis with a victory on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, partnering Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko to win their opening doubles tennis match at the HSBC Championships at Queen's Club in London.

The former world No. 1 and 23-time Grand Slam singles champion had not played a professional match since the 2022 US Open, where she announced she was “evolving away” from tennis. Her surprise decision to return to competition at age 44 generated significant excitement and curiosity about whether she could still compete at a high level after nearly four years away from the sport.

Williams quickly answered many of those questions as she and Mboko defeated third-seeded pair Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 in the first round.

Playing in front of a packed crowd at the Andy Murray Arena, Williams showed flashes of the form that made her one of the greatest players in tennis history. She delivered powerful serves reaching 120 mph, struck trademark winners from the baseline, and celebrated key points with the familiar intensity that defined her career.

The American arrived on court to a standing ovation, with fans holding signs welcoming her back. Among those watching were her husband Alexis Ohanian and their daughters Olympia and Adira, whom Williams has often cited as her motivation for returning to competition.

There were moments of rust early in the match. Williams lost the first point of her comeback without touching the ball and followed with a missed volley on her first contact. However, she quickly settled into rhythm and produced her first winner shortly afterward, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

As reported by the Bangkok Post, Williams displayed impressive movement and shot-making throughout the match. She broke serve to help establish a 4-1 lead in the opening set and later unleashed a backhand winner from a sharp angle that prompted a broad smile and a celebratory gesture toward the crowd.

After winning a tense first-set tiebreak, Williams and Mboko dominated the second set. The 19-year-old Canadian played a major role in closing out the match, repeatedly hitting winners and earning approving fist bumps from her experienced partner.

According to ClutchPoints, as cited by Yahoo Sports, Williams acknowledged after the match that she still has room for improvement despite the victory.

“I think Vicky’s doing great. I need to make some returns next match, which I will,” Williams said with a laugh. “I didn’t miss one in practice. That was a little embarrassing out there.”

Mboko also emphasized that the pair can continue to improve as the tournament progresses.

“There’s always room for improvement. I think never being satisfied with yourself is always the way to go,” she said. “I have singles tomorrow so I really like how I got to use this as a little bit of repetition.”

Williams quickly echoed that sentiment.

“But you know, the good news is we can do better. I can do better,” she said.

The victory advances Williams and Mboko to the quarterfinals, where they will face Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund on Thursday.

Williams' successful return is likely to fuel speculation about whether she could make a comeback in singles competition, particularly with Wimbledon set to begin later this month. The seven-time Wimbledon singles champion has downplayed suggestions of a singles return, but her performance at Queen's demonstrated that many of the skills that defined her remarkable career remain intact.

For now, Serena Williams appears focused on enjoying the experience. Four years after stepping away from professional tennis, she has already ensured that her comeback story has begun in winning fashion.

Read: Serena Williams Confirms Return to Professional Tennis

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