Serena Williams has revealed her children's priceless reaction to her comeback victory after a long hiatus from professional tennis. The 23-time Grand Slam champion returned to action at Queen's Club after nearly four years away, partnering with 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko to secure a straight-sets win over third seeds Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez. This marked Williams' first competitive victory in 1,376 days, drawing widespread attention across the tennis world.
However, while fans celebrated her return, her daughters, Olympia and Adira, had different priorities. Following the match, Williams shared that the victory was not the main topic of conversation at home. “Adira (two) wanted to go to the toy store, and Olympia (eight) wanted to know what was for dinner…” she revealed, highlighting how her children remained focused on everyday matters.
Williams Jokes About Return
The 44-year-old American joked about her decision to return to competition, saying, “I had nothing better to do. I got tired of sitting at home. My kids are out of school for the summer, so why not?” Despite her lighthearted tone, Williams showed promising form on court. Although she gave herself a “C-minus” grade, her serve remained a major weapon, regularly exceeding 100 mph and touching 120 mph. There were glimpses of vintage Serena, particularly during key moments of the opening set tiebreak.
Mboko's Contribution
Williams also praised her young partner, Mboko, for her significant role in the victory. “It was so fun! I had so much fun playing with Vicky. She really was able to hold up the team and really play big on the big points; I could really rely on her,” Williams said.
Playing at Queen's Club
Queen's Club had not hosted women's professional tennis for over five decades until last year. For Williams, competing at the iconic venue felt special. “I never got to play here; it was always just the men,” she remarked during her on-court interview, drawing a cheer from the crowd. She quickly added, “No yay!” before continuing, “But it feels really special to play at a place so iconic that I saw so many of my friends win and do well in and just watch so many great matches, so it's kind of cool.”
Wimbledon Decision Pending
Whether this comeback extends to Wimbledon remains uncertain. Williams said she is taking a measured approach as wildcard decisions approach. “Like I said the other day, it's just a day at a time. I still have a little time to decide, and they have been great about giving me that space and time to decide.”
After 1,376 days away, Serena Williams returned with a win, a smile, and a reminder that even legends have to deal with everyday parenting moments.
