Serena Williams, 44, wins doubles comeback in London

Field Level Media
10 Jun 2026, 01:10 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-Imagn Images)

Serena Williams successfully launched her comeback Tuesday with a doubles upset during the HSBC Championships at the Queen's Club in West Kensington, London.

Ending a nearly four-year retirement, the 44-year-old Williams partnered with 19-year-old Victoria Mboko of Canada for a 7-6 (2), 6-2 win against No. 3 seed Nicole Melihar-Martinez and New Zealand's Erin Routliffe.

Routliffe is a two-time U.S. Open doubles champion (2023, 2025) and Melihar-Martinez was a doubles finalist at Wimbledon in 2018 and the U.S. Open in 2020.

'I was having so much fun playing with Vicky,' Williams said in a post-match on-court interview. 'She was really able to hold up the team and play big on the big points. I could really rely on her. We never played together but it just felt so natural playing with her.'

Williams' first-round victory at the WTA 500 grass-court tournament was the 23-time Grand Slam winner's first professional match since a tearful farewell at the 2022 U.S. Open.

Williams, who received a wild-card entry into the tournament, and Mboko advanced to the quarterfinals. They will face the winner between Canada's Leylah Fernandez and Germany's Laura Siegemund vs. Russia's Alexandra Panova and the Netherlands' Demi Schuurs.

Williams was asked what her tennis schedule might look like down the road and why she picked the HSBC Championship for a doubles return.

'I don't know ... I had nothing better to do,' Williams said, drawing laughs from fans. 'I got tired sitting at home. My kids are out of school for the summer so why not.'

--Field Level Media

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Tennis Times.

More Information

Sports

Section

Record eight players aged 40-plus set to feature at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Washington DC (US), June 10 (ANI): The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature a record eight players aged 40 or older in squad selections...

Germany embraces quiet, distraction-free comfort of Wake Forest

(Photo credit: Chuck Burton-Imagn Images) WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The World Cup comes with global attention and yet Germany's national...

Canada eager for return, 'energy' of Alphonso Davies

(Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images) With three days to go until Canada's World Cup opener, star fullback Alphonso Davies...

LAFC acquire D Yevhen Cheberko from Crew

(Photo credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images) Los Angeles FC acquired defender Yevhen Cheberko from the Columbus Crew on Tuesday in...

Rapids GK Zack Steffen out for season after shoulder surgery

(Photo credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images) Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen underwent successful shoulder surgery and will...

White Sox promote top OF prospect Braden Montgomery

(Photo credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images) The Chicago White Sox promoted prized outfield prospect Braden Montgomery from Triple-A...

Lifestyle

Section