The highly anticipated return of tennis legend Serena Williams to competitive action has received an immediate test, with Williams and rising Canadian star Victoria Mboko drawing the No. 3 seeded pair of Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe in the opening round of the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club.
The draw has added another layer of intrigue to one of the most talked-about stories in tennis this season. Williams, who has not competed since the 2022 US Open, is making her long-awaited return to professional tennis at the London grass-court event. The former world No. 1 accepted a wildcard entry into the doubles competition and will partner 19-year-old Mboko, one of the brightest young talents in the women’s game.
Their comeback partnership has generated excitement across the sport. Mboko, who has climbed rapidly through the rankings and established herself among the elite players on the WTA Tour, has frequently spoken of Williams as one of her childhood idols. The opportunity to share the court with one of the greatest players in tennis history is a dream scenario for the Canadian star.
However, sentiment alone will not help them in their opening match. Melichar-Martinez and Routliffe represent one of the toughest first-round challenges available in the draw. Routliffe is a former doubles world No. 1 and a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion, while Melichar-Martinez has captured 19 WTA doubles titles and owns a Wimbledon mixed doubles crown. Their experience and proven success at the highest level make them formidable opponents.
Interestingly, despite being seeded third, Melichar-Martinez and Routliffe are also a relatively new partnership. Both players have competed with various partners during the 2026 season, meaning chemistry may still be developing within their team. That could provide an opening for Williams and Mboko, who will arrive with momentum, enthusiasm and the energy generated by Williams’ return.
For Williams, the tournament marks the beginning of a new chapter. Now 44 years old, the American icon remains one of the most decorated athletes in sports history, with 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 14 Grand Slam doubles crowns, all won alongside her sister Venus. Her return has sparked widespread interest among fans eager to see whether she can once again compete at the highest level.
The HSBC Championships, which run from June 8 to June 14 at Queen’s Club, will therefore have global attention focused on its doubles draw. Whether Williams and Mboko can upset the third seeds remains to be seen, but their opening-round encounter is already one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.
Regardless of the result, the return of Serena Williams alongside one of the game’s fastest-rising stars ensures that Queen’s Club will be the centre of the tennis world this week.
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