Serena Williams made her stunning return to tennis earlier this week alongside Victoria Mboko at the Queen’s Club Championships.
It marked a much-anticipated return to the sport from the legendary American, who argues that she never officially retired from tennis despite having not played a professional match in four years.
And, whilst there was unsurprisingly some rustiness, the 23-time Grand Slam champion had not lost that ruthless edge or winning instinct.
Despite being pitted against the number three seeds, she and Mboko roared to victory in straight sets.
Erin Routliffe, one half of the doubles team who lost to Serena Williams, has since spoken about how it felt to face such an iconic figure.
How Serena Williams’ first comeback opponent felt playing against her at Queen’s
However, her words were passed through Naomi Broady, who claimed to have spoken with the New Zealand tennis star.
Chatting live on the BBC, the pundit revealed: “I spoke to Erin Routliffe after the match as well, and she said she felt like a deer in headlights.
What do you think Serena Williams needs to do to make her comeback successful?
“Even though she knew what was coming, she said it was difficult to compartmentalise it. Erin is a Grand Slam doubles champion; she’s won the US Open twice.
“She’s played on these huge stages inside Arthur Ashe Stadium; the biggest court in our sport. But for some reason, Queen’s Club, playing against Serena Williams, she just couldn’t focus.”
Sadly, with Mboko having got injured during her singles match at Queen’s, their doubles run has been cut short. Hopefully the talented Canadian has not suffered anything too serious.
What’s next for Serena Williams?
Well, with Williams’ time in London now over, she can already begin preparations for her next event.
It had already been confirmed that she would travel to Berlin to participate in another grass-court doubles event, but her partner had yet to be confirmed.
How impressed were you with Serena Williams’ level?
A legendary return!
In the wake of Mboko’s untimely and heartbreaking injury, that information has now been released.
Serena Williams will play alongside Karolina Muchova in Germany, marking the final confirmed event before Wimbledon.
Her partner for that Grand Slam has yet to be revealed, but many will be hoping that a reunion with her sister Venus Williams could be in the offing.
