Serena Williams and Victoria Mboko (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images for LTA)
The Serena Williams comeback is officially underway.
Nearly four years after stepping away from professional tennis, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion returned to competition on Tuesday and immediately found success, partnering with Canadian star Victoria Mboko to earn a straight-sets victory at the HSBC Championships in London.
Williams and Mboko defeated third-seeded duo Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe 7-6 (2), 6-2 in the opening round of the doubles event at Queen’s Club, advancing to the quarterfinals. The matchup represented a difficult first test for the newly formed pairing, with Melichar-Martinez and Routliffe entering the tournament as one of the favorites in the doubles draw at tennis betting sites.
The 44-year-old Williams had not competed in a professional match since the 2022 US Open, where she announced her departure from the sport. Her return has been one of the biggest stories in tennis this summer, especially after accepting a wildcard entry into the doubles draw alongside the 19-year-old Mboko, who has quickly emerged as one of the brightest young stars on the WTA Tour.
“It was so fun. I had so much fun playing with Victoria,” Williams said in an on-court interview. “She really was able to hold up the team and really play big on the big points. I could really rely on her. We’ve never played together but it just felt so natural playing with her.”
Williams Shows Signs of Vintage Form
While there were understandable signs of rust after such a lengthy absence, Williams still flashed the power that made her one of the most dominant players in tennis history.
According to reports, her serve reached speeds of approximately 120 mph during the match, and she delivered several clutch points in key moments, including a pair of aces late in the contest. After a competitive opening set that required a tiebreak, Williams and Mboko took control in the second set and cruised to victory.
The crowd at Queen’s Club provided a fitting backdrop for Williams’ return, giving the American legend a warm reception throughout the match as fans celebrated her first competitive appearance in nearly four years.
Mboko Continues Rapid Rise
For Mboko, the victory is another milestone in a breakout season.
The Canadian teenager, who has climbed into the WTA’s Top 10, was thrilled to partner with a player she has long considered an idol. Prior to the tournament, Mboko described the opportunity to share the court with Williams as a dream come true.
With the opening-round victory secured, attention now turns to whether Williams’ comeback could extend beyond doubles play. For now, however, the tennis icon has taken the first successful step in what is already one of the sport’s biggest stories of 2026.