The 44-year-old's 1,376-day hiatus ends in style

At the Queen's Club Championships in London, Serena Williams marked her return to professional tennis after nearly four years, partnering with Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko to secure a 7-6 (2), 6-2 victory over the third-seeded duo of Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez.

Williams' powerful serving and emotional moments with her family in attendance made for an unforgettable match, as she now moves on to the quarterfinals and considers a potential Wimbledon appearance.

A Familiar Pattern from the 2019 Crash

The match, held at the Andy Murray Arena, was Williams' first appearance at the prestigious grass-court event, which only recently reinstated women's competition in 2025 after a half-century hiatus.

Her husband Alexis Ohanian and their two daughters , Olympia and Adira, along with close friend Lindsey Vonn, were among the packed spectators. Adira, born in August 2023, witnessed her mother's competitive performance for the first time.

Williams' Modest Grading of Her Performance

Despite the encouraging win, Williams modestly graded her own performance as a 'C-minus' during the post-match press conference, citing the challenges of returning on grass after four years away.

The victory marks Williams' first match win since the 2022 U.S. Open, signaling a cautious but promising comeback. She and Mboko will now advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face the team of Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund on Thursday.

A Day-by-Day Approach to Wimbledon

The possibility of Williams competing at Wimbledon later this month continues to be a focal point of speculation. When asked about her plans, she emphasized a day-by-day approach, noting that the touurnament organizers have given her space and time to decide.

Her primary motivation for returning appears rooted in family, wanting her daughters to see her play. In tpyical humorous fashion,she described their post-match priorities: 'Adira wanted to go to the toy store and Olympia wanted to go for dinner. That's kids for you. They don't care if you have broken serve or the internet, they just want to be fed on time and have new toys to play with.'