Serena Williams Begins Doubles-Only Return at Queen's Club After Two-Year Absence
The 23-time major champion played her first match since 2022 on Tuesday at the HSBC Championships in London. She is competing only in doubles and faces Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe in the opening round.
BBC NewsSerena Williams played her first match since returning to competitive tennis on Tuesday at the HSBC Championships at Queen's Club in London. The 23-time major champion has not competed on the WTA Tour since 2022 and will play only doubles during this return. Williams confirmed her comeback last week after reentering the International Tennis Integrity Agency's drug-testing pool.
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She stated that Queen's Club is the right venue to begin this next chapter because grass has given her some of the most meaningful moments of her career. Williams and her partner are scheduled to face Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe in the opening round on Tuesday as the last match of the day.
The 16-team doubles field at the HSBC Championships includes Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic as well as Storm Hunter and Zhang Shuai.
Alycia Parks practiced with Williams up to three times a week in Florida during the winter and early spring. Parks said Williams is in great shape and would perform well on tour. Footage from Williams' first practice session at Queen's Club this week showed her hitting across the court and displaying her backhand.
Victoria Mboko, ranked No. 9 in singles, said Williams has clean ball striking and is fit after their recent sessions together. Mboko said she and Williams have stayed in touch and that she looks up to the former champion.
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