Serena Williams - latest: Live scores from Queen’s as tennis legend makes return
- Serena Williams, 44, triumphant on comeback in first match in four years
- Williams partnered Victoria Mboko to beat third seeds Melichar-Martinez and Routliffe 7-6 6-2
- Williams on making tennis comeback: 'Why not?' | Wimbledon remains a possibility
- 'Back home': Emma Raducanu wins first match of grass-court season 6-0 6-3
- Katie Boulter comes through final set to defeat Leylah Fernandez 3-6 7-6 7-5
- Jack Draper out of Queen’s as latest injury blow puts Wimbledon in doubt
The moment Serena Williams sparked a gentle tennis comeback into life
21:15 , Jamie Braidwood
Under the late afternoon sun, as the breeze swirled in west London, Serena Williams returned to a competitive tennis court. By the time the shadow of the prestigious Queen’s Club had crept across the grass, covering the lines, she had secured her first victory in four years. Alongside doubles partner Victoria Mboko, the Canadian teenager 25 years her junior, the 44-year-old Williams defeated the third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe, 7-6 6-2.
With it, a remarkable tennis comeback was kicked, gently, into motion. The 23-time grand slam champion had not competed since the 2022 US Open, the tournament that followed her announcement of “evolving” away from the sport. When she returned to the glare of the competition, with nowhere to hide, there were lots of errors, missed forehands, shanked overheads, and understandable rust. Williams had fun, and even admitted to some nerves, but gave herself a grade of “C minus”, with plenty of room for improvement.
That, though, was not the only aim.
The moment Serena Williams sparked a gentle tennis comeback into life
Victoria Mboko on Serena Williams: 'My gosh, she's got it!'
20:39 , Jamie Braidwood
“I thought she was moving great. There was that one shot you hit, remember, you were on the run, on the backhand, and I was like, Oh, my gosh, she's got it. On my perspective, I feel like it's all great. It was a lot of fun, and yeah, it was amazing.”
Serena Williams grades herself a 'C-minus' on Queen's return
20:19 , Jamie Braidwood
“I think I was nervous, but I didn't really think about it. I didn't really think about being nervous. I just thought about having fun, which I did today. I got nervous right before the match, like, maybe 30 minutes before, and then I just let it go.
“I think I would give myself ... a C-minus?”
Queen's: Williams-Mboko to play Fernandez and Siegemund in second round
19:40 , Jamie Braidwood
Williams and Mboko will play Canada’s Leylah Fernandez and Germany’s Laura Siegemund in the second round. Funnily enough, Fernandez partnered Venus Williams at last season’s US Open doubles.
Serena Williams wins first tennis match in four years
19:33 , Jamie Braidwood
That was Serena Williams’ first victory in tennis since the second round of the US Open in 2022. That came against the second seed, Anett Kontaveit, before she waved ‘farewell’ in a third-round defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic.
Serena Williams on coming back at 44: 'I had nothing better to do!'
19:24 , Jamie Braidwood
Serena Williams: “It was so fun. I had so much fun playing with Victoria. She was able to hold up the team on the big points and I could lean on her. It felt very natural.
“I don’t know [what’s to come]. I had nothing better to do! I was sitting at home. I thought, why not? I never got to play here, it was always just the men. It feels very special to play somewhere so iconic. It’s very cool.”
Victora Mboko (who is 25 years younger than Williams): “I feel very honoured to play with you Serena, it’s a privilege. We’re going for more!”
*Williams / Mboko 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe
19:21 , Jamie Braidwood
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Another big serve from Williams and she wins her first tennis match in four years! The 44-year-old and Victoria Mboko knock out the third seeds and wave to the crowd!
*Williams / Mboko 7-6 (7-2) 5-2 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe
19:20 , Jamie Braidwood
An exquisite volley from Mboko gets the pair off to the perfect start. Williams goes for the serve and volley but Routliffe somehow claws a return onto the line.
ACE from Williams! She went out wide, and found the angle. She clenches her fist as they move two points from victory. And another ACE! Again out wide from Williams!
It brings match point.
*Williams / Mboko 7-6 (7-2) 5-2 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe
19:16 , Jamie Braidwood
Williams slips slightly when returning behind the baseline, briefly doing a half-split. But she raises a hand to say she’s OK. Melichar-Martinez and Routliffe look to claw their way back from 0-30 down but Williams produces the clipped forehand winner crosscourt to bring break point!
Mboko returns, but Melichar-Martinez produces the body to split the pair and bring deciding point. Winning this would give Williams the chance to serve it out. And they get it! Mboko lands a beautiful backhand return, right onto the line.
Williams / Mboko 7-6 (7-2) 4-2 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe*
19:11 , Jamie Braidwood
Williams dumps what looks like a routine overhead into the net, before backing away from the next one as Mboko directs a powerful forehand down the line. Mboko is pulling the pair through this, and they move two games away.
*Williams / Mboko 7-6 (7-2) 3-2 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe
19:07 , Jamie Braidwood
A comfortable game for Melichar-Martinez on serve, even as Mboko fired the backhand return. Her second shot finds the net. Still, Williams and Mboko just need three more holds to get through to the second round.
Williams / Mboko 7-6 (7-2) 3-1 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe*
19:03 , Jamie Braidwood
Another big serve from Williams on a pressure point, firing one at 118mph down the middle on 30-30. She may be struggling on her forehand, when asked to hit off-balance, but the serve is delivering. Mboko threads the backhand down the middle to consolidate the break.
*Williams / Mboko 7-6 (7-2) 2-1 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe
18:59 , Jamie Braidwood
The video review was inclusive, so the original calls stands and Williams and Mboko do indeed win the point! A weird one, but Williams and Mboko get the break.
Williams / Mboko 7-6 (7-2) 1-1 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe*
18:58 , Jamie Braidwood
Mboko finds a fierce return on the opening point and Routliffe chucks in a double fault to hand Mboko-Williams two break points. Routliffe goes to the Williams forehand, drawing the error in the crosscourt exchange.
On the second break point, Williams jumps at the volley at the net, firing it at Melichar-Martinez. The umpire calls a ‘touch’, I think on Melichar-Martinez, even though Mboko and Williams won the point.
There will be a VAR review!
Williams / Mboko 7-6 (7-2) 1-1 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe*
18:52 , Jamie Braidwood
Mboko shrugs off a double fault to get her opening hold. Williams pinged a volley towards Melichar-Martinez, which proved to be effective.
*Williams / Mboko 7-6 (7-2) 0-1 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe
18:50 , Jamie Braidwood
We had plenty of errors in the opening set, and lots of rust as well. But we had that wonderful leaping backhand from Williams, and that huge 120mph serve.
The shadow of the Queen’s Club is starting to stretch across the court as the second set gets underway.
First set! Williams / Mboko 7-6 (7-2) Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe
18:44 , Jamie Braidwood
A double fault is not what Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe needed, with Williams / Mboko then winning a scrambling point. Williams took charge behind the forehand, with Mboko then finding an excellent volley. Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe go long and the opening set goes to Williams and Mboko!
Tiebreak! Williams / Mboko 6-6 (4-2) Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe
18:41 , Jamie Braidwood
Mboko’s backhand and the Williams serve held the duo march into a 4-0 lead in the tiebreak. Williams lined up a forehand winner, with space opening up crosscourt, but nets. Mboko’s return drifts out so perhaps some hope still for Melichar-Martinez and Routliffe.
Williams / Mboko 6-6 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe
18:38 , Jamie Braidwood
Mboko scrambles out wide and hits a one-sided backhand, which Routliffe dumps into the net on the volley. A chance for Williams-Mboko on 0-30.
Routliffe makes no mistake this time as she moves in and picks off the Mboko forehand, with Williams then hitting the net on the backhand return.
Williams whiffs on the smash and Mboko goes long on the lob.
So we head to a tiebreak!
Williams / Mboko 6-5 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe*
18:33 , Jamie Braidwood
A lapse from Williams as she allows a forehand that she thought was drifting out to drop into the court. A backhand volley into the net brings up 15-30 and some more pressure on serve.
She finds her biggest serve of the match so far! 120mph, down the middle. No chance of returning that. Melichar-Martinez shanks a smash and Williams and Mboko have got through to a tiebreak, at the least.
The serve is still ringing around the court.
*Williams / Mboko 5-5 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe
18:29 , Jamie Braidwood
Williams can’t connect with her forehand after being pushed deep behind the baseline. It’s back to her serve, and she was broken last time.
Williams / Mboko 5-4 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe*
18:25 , Jamie Braidwood
Shot of the match so far and it’s from Serena Williams! A smash from Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe looks destined to be heading for a winner, but Williams leaps to her left and directs the ball back as a lob that drops inside the baseline.
That would have felt good.
*Williams / Mboko 4-4 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe
18:22 , Jamie Braidwood
The first set is back level. Despite some good scrambling from Mboko, Melichar-Martinez and Routliffe are showing their doubles experience by opening up the court. It’s three games in a row for them.
Williams / Mboko 4-3 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe*
18:18 , Jamie Braidwood
Williams isn’t able to get up to the short return from Melichar-Martinez and clear the net with the pick-up, so she and Mboko will face break point for the first time.
And after a let and a first serve that is close to an ace, Williams double-faults. Mboko is quickly at her side offering encouragement.
*Williams / Mboko 4-2 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe
18:14 , Jamie Braidwood
Despite some quick hands from Williams at the net, Routliffe is able to blast a way through to hold. Back to Serena to serve.
Williams / Mboko 4-1 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe*
18:09 , Jamie Braidwood
There was an aguished shriek from Williams as a volley sailed over the back of the baseline. But then she makes ammends with a controlled smash at the net, with Williams and Mboko holding to move two games from the set.
*Williams / Mboko 3-1 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe
18:05 , Jamie Braidwood
We’ve all been waiting to see Williams step into a groundstroke and she gets the opportunity against the second serve of Melichar-Martinez. The forehand is deep and close to the baseline, with Melichar-Martinez netting on the return.
But Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe get on the board. Routliffe steps in to cut out Williams’ forehand.
Williams / Mboko 3-0 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe*
18:01 , Jamie Braidwood
Williams is able to find such effortless power when she serves, even when she’s opting for control in breezy conditions. That’s a solid hold, in a game that featured a smart rush to the net and pick-up volley.
*Williams / Mboko 2-0 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe
17:58 , Jamie Braidwood
Mboko puts on some pressure on the return and Routliffe faces deuce, with Williams on the return. She double-faults and Williams-Mboko get the break.
Williams will now serve.
Williams / Mboko 1-0 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe*
17:52 , Jamie Braidwood
Williams misses her first volley into the net. Perhaps just a little rusty. She makes no mistake with the second, an angled backhand, as Mboko comes through to hold.
*Williams / Mboko 0-0 Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe
17:49 , Jamie Braidwood
Melichar-Martinez / Routliffe won the toss and elected to receive. Victoria Mboko will serve first, with Serena advancing to the net.
Serena Williams introduced to the crowd at Queen's
17:47 , Jamie Braidwood
Serena Williams’ impressive tennis resume is announced to the crowd. Just the 23 grand slam singles titles, and 14 in doubles. She has called this return the ‘next chapter’.
Serena Williams returns to court ahead of Queen's Club comeback
17:43 , Jamie Braidwood
The sun is out at Queen’s and steeping onto court, for the first time in four years, is Serena Williams! There is loud applause and cheers and she emerges behind Victoria Mboko, her playing partner who is 25 years younger than her. Williams is wearing a pink dress, with a frilly skirt. She is back.
The Andy Murray Arena, named after the two-time Wimbledon champion following his retirement in 2024, is completely full. There isn’t an empty seat in sight.
Who are Serena's opponents Melichar-Martinez and Routliffe?
17:40 , Jamie Braidwood
Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe have 31 doubles titles between them, but are playing as a pair for the first time at Queen’s this week. Routliffe, like Serena Williams, is a former No 1 in doubles. She is a two-time US Open winner. Together, they are the third seeds and a difficult draw for wildcards Williams and Victoria Mboko.
Serena Williams: 'It's about my kids getting to see me play'
17:40 , 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.”
Queen's: Tatjana Maria 6-3 6-3 Maria Sakkari
17:28 , Jamie Braidwood
Game, set and match! No wildcard, no problem for Tajana Maria! The defending champion, and qualifier, marches on thanks to a 6-3 6-3 victory over former top-10 player Maria Sakkari. The 38-year-old German, cheered on by her two children, has such a tricky game on this surface, with almost every shot hit with spin and slice, and she extends her winning streak at this tournament.
Serena Williams and Victoria Mboko will be out on court, next.
Queens: Tatjana Maria 6-3 4-3 Maria Sakkari
17:21 , Jamie Braidwood
Serena Williams will be returning to court after this match between Tatjana Maria and Maria Sakkari, which could yet go to a third set. The defending champion Maria, though, is looking to close this out in two.
Queens: Tatjana Maria 6-3 2-3 Maria Sakkari
17:06 , Jamie Braidwood
Tatjana Maria has moved a set away from a return to the second-round of Queen’s as the defending champion wins the first set of the main draw 6-3 against Maria Sakkari.
The German said on Sunday that she found the decision to not award her a wildcard “tough to accept” and “surprising”
“Of course I am in the tournament, I won yesterday the two matches but it is only the fact I am a champion and with the respect, for me I thought I deserved a wild card,” she said.
Serena Williams set for tennis comeback – here’s how five women stars fared after retirement U-turns
16:56 , Jamie Braidwood
Tennis icon Serena Williams is set to make her highly anticipated return at Queen’s today.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, now 44, will once again grace the courts, sparking excitement among fans.
Williams' return places her among a distinguished group of female athletes who have stepped away from the sport only to make a comeback. Here are five other notable examples:
Serena Williams set for tennis comeback – here’s how five women fared after returning
Queen's: Defending champion Tatjana Maria back on court
16:26 , Jamie Braidwood
Last year’s champion Tatjana Maria is back on court after having to qualify for the main draw of the tournament. The German mother-of-two, who is an honorary member at Queen’s after last year’s title, said she was surprised to not receive a wildcard into this year’s tournament, despite returning as defending champion.
All four wildcards were handed to British players, which meant the 38-year-old had to win two matches in a row to qualify on Sunday.
She is now in action on the Andy Murray Arena against Maria Sakkari, and is a break up in the opening set.
Victoria Mboko: Meet the teen sensation teaming up with Serena Williams
15:55 , Jamie Braidwood
Victoria Mboko, 19, will team with Williams in the women’s doubles and the Canadian has already expressed her immense admiration for her partner as they shared a picture at the Queen’s Club.
Williams, the 23-time grand slam singles champion, last week confirmed she would be making her comeback at the west London venue where, last year, a women’s tournament was hosted for the first time since 1973.
The 44-year-old is a quarter of a century older than Mboko, who was voted WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2025.
Meet the teen sensation teaming with Serena Williams for her return to tennis
Jack Draper out of Queen’s as latest injury blow puts Wimbledon in doubt
15:54 , Jamie Braidwood
In other news, Jack Draper has been ruled out of Queen’s as he continues to recover from injury, delaying his on-court debut with new coach Andy Murray and putting his prospects of returning at Wimbledon into doubt.
The 24-year-old was forced to pull out of last month’s French Open after suffering a knee injury at the Barcelona Open in April, having missed several months of action due to bone bruising in his left arm.
Draper, who reached the semi-finals of Queen’s last year and defeated Carlos Alcaraz at the west London tournament in 2024, has completed just eight matches this season and has dropped outside of the world’s top 100.
He hopes to return at Eastbourne, with the main draw of that tournament getting underway on Monday 22 June. Wimbledon begins the following week.
Jack Draper out of Queen’s as latest injury blow puts Wimbledon in doubt
Queen's: Katie Boulter 3-6 7-6 7-5 Leylah Fernandez
15:48 , Jamie Braidwood
Game, set and match! That’s a great win for Katie Boulter, completing the comeback and getting through a tough third set to defeat the eighth seed and former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez.
Boulter was just three games from defeat last night when rain finally stopped play, but returned this afternoon to extend the match and reach the second-round at Queen’s for a second time.
A great start to the grass-court campaign, in what has been a resurgent campaign for Boulter.
Queen's: *Katie Boulter 3-6 7-6 4-5 Leylah Fernandez
15:34 , Jamie Braidwood
Fernandez has been able to turn the third set around, forcing Boulter to hold serve to stay in the match.
Queen's: Katie Boulter 3-6 7-6 4-2 Leylah Fernandez*
15:20 , Jamie Braidwood
Boulter saves a break point to keep her nose in front against Fernandez, as the wildcard closes in on what would be an encouraging victory against a top-25 opponent.
Queen's: Katie Boulter 3-6 7-6 2-0 Leylah Fernandez*
14:57 , Jamie Braidwood
Well Boulter is now on a roll, after picking apart Fernandez’s serve in the opening game of the third set, she confidently holds to stay ahead.
Boulter reached the second round here last year, before exiting to fifth seed Diani Schnaider.
Queen's: Katie Boulter 3-6 7-6 Leylah Fernandez
14:47 , Jamie Braidwood
Down 5-4 in the tiebreak, Fernandez’s serve deserts her. A double-fault from the Canadian brings up set point for Boulter, who takes advantage as she goes on the attack with the backhand down the line. The British No 2 clenches her fist after coming out a day later to force the decider.
Queen's: Katie Boulter 3-6 6-6 Leylah Fernandez
14:37 , Jamie Braidwood
Katie Boulter’s first-round match against Canada’s Leylah Fernandez was disrupted yesterday by rain, with the former US Open finalist leading 6-3 3-3 at the end of the day’s play.
Back out in the sunshine on Tuesday, Boulter has at least extended the second set through to a tiebreak. She had a set point against the Fernandez serve, but the eighth seed saved with a forehand winner into the corner.
Serena Williams fuels Wimbledon speculation as she adds second tournament to her comeback schedule
13:55 , Jamie Braidwood
Serena Williams has expanded her highly anticipated return to professional tennis, adding a second grass-court tournament to her schedule as speculation mounts regarding a potential Wimbledon appearance.
The 44-year-old will make her comeback next week in London, partnering Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko in the doubles at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club.
It was confirmed on Friday that Williams will also compete in doubles at the Berlin Tennis Open, commencing on 15 June, though her partner for that event is yet to be announced.
Williams fuels Wimbledon rumours as she adds second tournament to comeback schedule
Queen's: Emma Raducanu 6-0 6-3 Anna Blinkova
13:47 , Jamie Braidwood
Game, set and match! A very solid opening win on the grass for Emma Raducanu, who beats Anna Blinkova 6-0 6-3 to reach the second round. A backhand winner down the line seals it, greeted by a wide smile.
The second set was more of a tussle, with the breeze picking up and making serving a little tougher, but Raducanu maintained an aggressive approach and was able to get her first-strike in play often enough.
In the second round, Raducanu is likely to play Romania’s seventh seed Sorana Cirstea, who recently reached the French Open quarter-finals.
“Back Home” Raducanu writes on the court-side camera.
Queen's: *Emma Raducanu 6-0 5-3 Anna Blinkova
13:42 , Jamie Braidwood
Blinkova nets on the backhand exchange before Raducanu holds her hand up in apology as the ball drops in on break point. The British No 1 will now serve for a place in the seocnd round.
Queen's: *Emma Raducanu 6-0 3-3 Anna Blinkova
13:34 , Jamie Braidwood
Suddenly we’re all square in the second set. Blinkova hits a backhand winner down the line and follows it with an ace out wide on game point.
Queen's: Emma Raducanu 6-0 2-1 Anna Blinkova*
13:22 , Jamie Braidwood
Blinkova must have heard that talk of a ‘double-bagel’. She hits back, advancing into the net on break point after directing a backhand down the line and putting away a tidy volley. She roars after getting on the board at last.
Queen's: *Emma Raducanu 6-0 2-0 Anna Blinkova
13:17 , Jamie Braidwood
Raducanu might be starting to smell a double-bagel... She directs another fierce backhand return down the line and Blinkova, looking completely overwhelmed, hits out.
Queen's: *Emma Raducanu 6-0 Anna Blinkova
13:08 , Jamie Braidwood
Raducanu skips back to her seat after advancing into the net and dispatching the volley to seal the third break of the match and take the opening set 6-0. She was on the wrong end of a 6-0 in her last match at the French Open, but looks a completely different player on the grass-courts as she takes on the ball early and without hesitation.
Queen's: Emma Raducanu 5-0 Anna Blinkova*
13:02 , Jamie Braidwood
Raducanu is back out into the sunshine and is continuing to take an aggressive approach into her first-round match against the qualifier Anna Blinkova. The first serve is working well, leading to the early forehand strike. She breaks again and holds to look at a healthy 5-0 lead.
Victoria Mboko on Serena Williams: 'She's hitting great'
12:55 , Jamie Braidwood
Victoria Mboko has described Serena Williams as her “idol” and confirmed that the 23-time grand slam champion, despite almost four years away from a competitive match, is still “hitting great”.
“She has such clean ball striking, she could probably take years off, and when she steps on the court she could probably find that rhythm again and find her timing. So I think that’s really a god-given gift that she has,” Mboko said.
“I personally think she’s ready to go. I’m hitting with her, she’s hitting pretty big and she’s really fit, so we’ll see.”
Queen's: Emma Raducanu 3-0 Anna Blinkova*
12:43 , Jamie Braidwood
The sun is back out in west London. Raducanu will be back on court from 12:50pm and hoping there are no further interruptions.
Queen's: Emma Raducanu 3-0 Anna Blinkova*
12:21 , Jamie Braidwood
Emma Raducanu immediately looks to get her first-strike tennis going as she takes on qualifier Anna Blinkova, quickly looking to get an aggressive shot away after her serve or following the return. She gets the opening break then races to a second love-hold with an ace out wide.
An assured start - but the rain has come again!
Emma Raducanu on her return to grass and competitive action
12:05 , Jamie Braidwood
Emma Raducanu is returning to action for the first time since her 6-0 7-6 defeat to Solana Sierra in the first round of the French Open. The British No 1 has still played very few matches in the past three months, since recovering from post-viral symptoms.
“I took a long time away from competing, so I think from Strasbourg and the French Open it did teach me a few things that I can hopefully take into the grass season, but I haven’t had so many matches leading up to it, but I’ve been doing what I can day in, day out, so that’s all I can really (control) myself and keep going.”
Serena Williams on wanting to play with Victoria Mboko
11:55 , Jamie Braidwood
Serena Williams said she sees a lot of herself in Victoria Mboko, the Canadian teenager who crowned a rapid rise through the sport by winning the WTA 1000 event in Montreal last season.
“I was impressed with her attitude, and what I liked the most about her was that the next time she played she still kept winning,” Williams said.
“Sometimes you win one and then have a little bit of a low, which is normal, and that’s OK as well. But I loved how she had this drive.”
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.
