Serena Williams – latest: Live scores from Queen’s as tennis legend makes return
- Serena Williams, 44, plays first match in almost four years in Queen’s Club doubles
- Williams will partner Victoria Mboko vs third seeds Melichar-Martinez and Routliffe | From 5:30pm
- Williams on making tennis comeback: ‘Why not?’ | Wimbledon remains a possibility
- Emma Raducanu in singles action at Queen’s vs qualifier Anna Blinkova | From 12pm
Serena Williams on singles return: ‘I can’t say no’
11:40 , Jamie Braidwood
When Serena Williams’ announcement came a few weeks ago, the expectation was that she could return to singles at Wimbledon after playing a couple of doubles tournaments. However, she said singles was “not my journey right now” and would require more training.
“I can’t say no right now,” Williams said. “I feel like I probably need to train a little bit more if I want to play singles, and we will see if I get there, and if not… that’s not my journey right now.”
The rain continues at Queen’s Club
11:37 , Jamie Braidwood
A downpour of rain and rumble of thunder means there will be no play until 12pm. Fortunately, the forecast for the afternoon is far more promising and the skies already look brighter.
Williams: ‘It’s about my kids getting to see me play’
11:25 , Jamie Braidwood .
Serena Williams said part of her motivation for returning to tennis was to play in front of her two children. She returned to tennis following the birth of her first child Olympia and is now doing the same following the birth of Adira in 2023.
“This whole journey is like, I’m putting no pressure on myself,” Williams said. “For me right now, it’s really just about so many elements. It’s really about my kids getting to see me play. Olympia is a little bit older, Adira is very young.
“An athlete is the best thing that you can be in the highest place, and having an opportunity to still be able to do that, possibly one last time, is kind of cool and exciting.”
Serena Williams on tennis return: ‘Why not?’
11:10 , Jamie Braidwood
“Well, why not? For lack of a better explanation. It’s summer, the kids aren’t in school, so it’s a perfect time to get out there, have fun, and see what happens.
“I don’t need to win. I’ve won more than most people have in their whole lives, so it’s not that important to me, and it’s important that I keep reminding myself of that, because I don’t have anything to prove. I don’t have anything to lose, and everything here is just to gain.”
Today’s Order of Play on the Andy Murray Arena
11:05 , Jamie Braidwood
Starting at 12:00 PM
Emma Raducanu (GBR) vs. [Q] Anna Blinkova
Followed by
[WC] Katie Boulter (GBR) vs. [8] Leylah Fernandez (CAN) -To Be Finished (TBF) – Current Score: 3-6, 3-3*
Followed by
[WC] Mika Stojsavljevic (GBR) vs. [5] Marta Kostyuk (UKR)
Not before 5:30 PM
[WC] Victoria Mboko (CAN) & Serena Williams (USA) vs [3] Nicole Melichar-Martinez (USA) & Erin Routliffe (NZL)
First up: Emma Raducanu in singles action this afternoon
11:02 , Jamie Braidwood
Emma Raducanu is the first match of the day on the Andy Murray Arena. The British No 1 will take on qualifier Anna Blinkova from 12pm, weather depending. It will be Raducanu’s first match on the grass this season as she builds towards Wimbledon, a tournament where she has performed well in the past. Raducanu is also scheduled to play doubles today with Katie Boulter, so a busy afternoon coming for her.
Hello and welcome
11:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Good morning and welcome. Today at Queen’s Club, Serena Williams makes her return to tennis at the age of 44, after almost four years away from the sport. She will play her first competitive match since the 2022 US Open alongside Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, the world No 9 in singles. Together, the wildcard pairing will play third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe from aroundabout 5:30pm this afternoon.