Serena starts comeback with doubles win at HSBC
Key takeaways
- LONDON -- After nearly four years away from professional tennis, Serena Williams made a winning return at Queen's Club on Tuesday.
- Serena Williams celebrates with playing partner Victoria Mboko of Canada after defeating Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe during their first-round doubles match at the Queen's Club tournament.
- Williams last week announced her return to doubles but has yet to say whether she will target a comeback in singles as well.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
LONDON -- After nearly four years away from professional tennis, Serena Williams made a winning return at Queen's Club on Tuesday.
The 44-year-old Williams showed she still has plenty of her trademark power, hitting service winners of up to 120 mph as she teamed up with 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko to win their opening doubles match at the HSBC Championships.
Serena Williams celebrates with playing partner Victoria Mboko of Canada after defeating Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe during their first-round doubles match at the Queen's Club tournament. AP Photo/Alberto PezzaliWilliams and Mboko beat third-seeded duo Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe 7-6 (2), 6-2 in Williams' first professional match since the 2022 US Open. She served out the match with two aces followed by a service winner.