At Queen’s Club in London, tennis enthusiasts witnessed Serena Williams’ return to the courts after nearly four years. Sarah, a devoted fan from Northern Ireland, was among those eagerly anticipating her comeback in the women’s doubles tournament, marking Williams’ first match in 1,375 days.
Williams, the 44-year-old legend with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, joined forces with Victoria Mboko. Together, they faced third-seeded Erin Routliffe of New Zealand and Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the U.S. The match concluded with a victorious score of 7-6(2), 6-2.
Sarah, who attended Williams’ last singles match at the US Open in 2022, has been a part of Williams’ journey, attending Wimbledon consecutively for 14 years. She cherishes a unique souvenir— a smashed racket from a match in 2016, now directed by Laura Robson.
Williams warmed into the match smoothly with decisive backhand volleys. Her initial serve clocked at about 93 mph, quickly accelerating to 113 mph, exhibiting her graceful motion. Her first point was a resounding shot across the court that signaled her powerful return.
Throughout the match, Williams displayed glimpses of her formidable form. Notably, she faltered on a forehand but immediately corrected by executing a precise drop shot. The crowd erupted when she secured a lead at 5-4 in the first set with a well-placed backhand. The first set victory, achieved through a tiebreak, sent waves of excitement through the audience.
“I had so much fun playing with Vicky. She really was able to hold up the team and play big on the big points, and I could really rely on her,” Williams expressed in her on-court interview.
News of Williams’ participation, announced on June 1, fueled a surge of fan interest. Sarah, despite a tight travel schedule, made it to London, eager to witness what many consider history. For the fans, this event was a cherished opportunity to celebrate a tennis icon.
“Rena’s Army,” Williams’ die-hard supporters, celebrated as she practiced. Mboko, also in high spirits, shared a moment with Olympia Ohanian, Williams’ eight-year-old daughter, who was capturing the event through her camera.
During the match, fans experienced Williams’ skill firsthand. Alexis Ohanian, Williams’ husband and Reddit founder, supported from the sidelines, seated with their daughters in the grandstands. The crowd was treated to 90 minutes of high-caliber tennis, filled with thrilling moments.
Williams chose Mboko as her partner through sincere admiration of her talent. When match point arrived, Williams’ sequence of two aces and an unreturned serve confirmed the partnership’s success.
“It’s such a privilege to play beside you … We really did that out there,” Mboko remarked, celebrating their triumph.
Fans at Queen’s Club were offered more than they could ask for: a straight-sets victory and the return of a beloved champion. Regardless of future outcomes, Williams’ presence on the court was a significant victory, with Mboko playing an integral role in this memorable comeback.