American tennis player Serena Williams said she enjoyed every moment of her first match back on the professional court, after winning the women's doubles event at Queen's Club, London.
Together with her young partner, Victoria Mboko, Serena defeated the third seeded pair Nicole Melichar-Martinez/Erin Routliffe with a score of 7-6(2), 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals.
"I had a lot of fun on the court," Williams was quoted as saying.
Williams' return marks her first appearance on the WTA tour since 2022. Williams, a 73-time WTA singles champion, last competed at the 2022 US Open.
The tennis player, who has collected 23 Grand Slam singles titles, emphasized that his comeback this time is not merely about chasing results or proving his best performance, but rather enjoying the competitive atmosphere that made his name.
According to Williams, Mboko's presence contributed to the enjoyment of the match. She praised the 19-year-old Canadian for her solid performance and ability to play a key role in crucial moments.
"He's really capable of carrying the team and making big plays in key moments, so I can count on him," Williams said.
Despite showing signs of a lack of competitive action after a long absence, Williams continued to display the qualities that made her one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
Some of his trademark shots were again in evidence, including a backhand winner , as well as two consecutive aces that helped seal the pair's victory.
