Serena Williams defeated in Berlin ahead of Wimbledon return

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Serena Williams suffered a straight-sets defeat in the Berlin Open doubles on Tuesday, hours after the confirmation of her return to Wimbledon to play alongside her older sister, Venus.

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Williams and Czech doubles partner Karolina Muchova fell to Mexico’s Giuliana Olmos and Erin Routliffe, of New Zealand, 6-4, 6-4.

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The duo lost the opening set after Williams was broken in her second service game.

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They were broken on Muchova’s serve midway through the second set and failed to find a way back into the contest.

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“I felt pretty good out there. I felt actually more nimble and more sturdy and quicker than the first match in Queens,” Williams said after the match.

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“I felt overall pretty good, just physically and quickness. I think you need a lot of quickness on grass.”

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The match was the 44-year-old Williams’ second after her shock comeback announcement earlier in June.

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She won her first match back at Queen’s Club last Monday, but her tournament ended due to an injury to doubles partner Victoria Mboko.

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Asked about choosing Muchova as a doubles partner, Williams laughed and said, “Czech players have given me nothing but trouble throughout my whole career.

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“So if you can’t beat them, join them.”

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The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion stepped away from tennis in 2022 but announced a comeback earlier in June, saying her decision came from a desire to play in front of her two young daughters.

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Showing glimpses of the powerful game that allowed her to dominate women’s tennis for two decades, Williams understandably lacked rhythm, particularly early, after a near four-year absence.

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She got better as the match went on, improving her footwork and showing the powerful serve and trademark forehand, which were cornerstones of her game.

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With one final singles wildcard slot remaining for Wimbledon, which starts on June 29, but Williams shot down speculation she could also make an individual return.

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“You think I’m ready for singles?” Williams asked reporters. “I need to get to work.”

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The last of her 23 Grand Slam victories came in the 2017 Australian Open. She last won Wimbledon in 2016.

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The Williams sisters have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, including six at Wimbledon.

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AFP

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