Tennis icon Serena Williams marked her long-awaited return to professional tennis with a convincing doubles victory at the historic Queen’s Club in London.

The 44-year-old American legend teamed up with rising Canadian star Victoria Mboko to defeat third-seeded pair Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez in straight sets, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2.

The victory was Williams’ first competitive win since her farewell appearance at the US Open in 2022, ending an absence of 1,375 days from the professional circuit.

Speaking after the match, Williams expressed delight at being back on court, praising her young partner for delivering in crucial moments and helping guide the team to victory.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion revealed that one of the attractions of her comeback was the opportunity to compete at Queen’s Club, a venue where women previously had limited opportunities to play during her active career.

Backed by a packed crowd and watched by her daughters from the stands, Williams showed flashes of the power and athleticism that defined her remarkable career. Her booming serve and aggressive groundstrokes thrilled spectators, including one serve clocked at 120 mph.

Although she acknowledged some rustiness after nearly four years away from competition, Williams appeared encouraged by her performance. However, she stopped short of confirming whether her comeback would extend to singles competition or a return to Wimbledon Championships.

Williams and Mboko will now advance to the second round, where they are set to face Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund.

Her successful return has already reignited excitement among tennis fans and sparked fresh speculation about whether one of the sport’s greatest champions may have more chapters left to write.