Serena Williams wins on comeback at Queen's

Serena Williams won on her return to tennis at Queen's after nearly four years away from the sport. Fans filled the Andy Murray Arena on June 9, 2026, to witness one of the greatest players of all time in action. Partnering with Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, the 44-year-old American did not appear out of place as they defeated third seeds Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez with a scoreline of 7-6 (7-2), 6-2.

"It was so fun," Williams said in her post-match interview. "I had so much fun playing with Victoria. She was really able to hold up the team and play big on the big points. I could rely on her. We have never played together but it felt so natural."

Williams explained her return, stating, "I had nothing better to do, I got tired of sitting at home. My kids are out of school for the summer, so why not?" She added, "I never got to play here; it was always just the men. It feels really special to play somewhere so iconic."

In 2022, Williams mentioned she was "evolving away" from tennis after winning 23 Grand Slam singles titles during her 27-year career. Interest in her potential return grew last year when her name appeared on the list for the drug-testing pool, and again when it was placed on the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) reinstatements list in February. Her return was only confirmed the previous week when it was announced she would be joining Mboko for doubles at Queen's.

Williams noted she had "nothing to prove," explaining that the main motivation was the prospect of her daughters watching her play. Eight-year-old Olympia and Adira, born in 2023, cheered from the stands as their mother showcased some of the skills that made her a legend.

Though her initial shot raised eyebrows as she volleyed into the net, doubts faded 92 minutes later when her serve, once her greatest weapon, helped her secure her first match win since the 2022 US Open. Williams joked about her daughters' reactions: "Adira wanted to go to the toy store and Olympia wanted to know what's for dinner."

While Williams acknowledged a lively crowd of more than 9,000 cheering for her, she initially maintained composure, waving briefly before focusing on her warm-up. She had stated that winning was "not important" upon her return, but competitiveness came into play nonetheless. Every point won saw Williams celebrating with clenched fists, strategizing with Mboko, and releasing exuberant roars as they executed impressive plays.

Noting her performance, Williams showed humility, suggesting, "What do you think? A C-minus?" She admitted her overhead shots felt a bit rusty, and her movement was occasionally off the pace. However, Mboko complimented her by stating, "Don’t be too hard on yourself; I thought she was moving great."

After the match, Williams reflected on her return shared with her good friends, remarking, "You can do anything at any age." Following a visit to a toy store with Adira, she confirmed that she would be back in action later that week with Mboko, facing Canada’s Leylah Fernandez and Germany’s Laura Siegemund in the second round. When asked about playing doubles at Wimbledon, Williams replied, "It's just a day at a time."