Serena Williams Motivated by Family in Tennis Comeback

Last weekend, Serena Williams shared that her return to professional tennis is mainly motivated by her desire for her daughters, Olympia, eight, and Adira, two, to witness her play. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion expressed, “I’ve won more than most people over a lifetime, so it’s not crucial for me. I remind myself of this, as I have nothing to prove.” Williams emphasized that she has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Williams, now 44, played her first match since the 2022 US Open as a wild card at the HSBC Championships held at the Queen’s Club in London. Her daughters and husband, Alexis Ohanian, were present, fulfilling one of her primary goals. Despite its significance, potential victory was at hand as she teamed up with Canadian player Victoria Mboko, aged 19, for a doubles match. Their first-time partnership led to a straight-set victory against Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe.

However, after progressing to the doubles quarterfinals to face Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund, Mboko, ranked world No. 9 in singles, sustained a knee injury during her match against Karolína Plíšková. This injury forced Mboko to retire and withdraw from the tournament, thus ending Williams’ run prematurely.

Williams responded with poise, showcasing a true love for the game and a desire to inspire her children. She shared an Instagram carousel featuring six photos, including a heartwarming image of Olympia smiling as she watched her mother serve. Williams captioned, “Some moments mean more than trophies ❤️ @olympiaohanian.” She expressed gratitude for a memorable experience at the HSBC Championships and wished Mboko a quick recovery. Williams also posted a supportive Instagram Story for Mboko, calling her an incredible talent.

Fortunately for fans, Williams’ comeback continues. She is slated to compete next at the Berlin Tennis Open, alongside Karolina Muchova in doubles, as reported by The Times’ tennis correspondent Tom Kershaw. Williams stated on the tournament’s official website, “Every tournament I add now feels special, and Berlin is no exception. I’m eager to compete in front of the German fans and build momentum throughout the grass-court season.”