Former world number one
Serena Williams made her return to competitive tennis as she teamed up
with sister Venus for the US team in the Fed Cup…. five months after giving birth
In what was a
last-minute change to the billing as the Americans had already won the
tie against the Netherlands, the pair lost the dead doubles rubber 6-2
6-3.
But this was never about
the scoreline, as demonstrated by the standing ovation and loud cheers
that welcomed back the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion.
And among those in the sell-out crowd in Asheville, North Carolina was baby Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.
Serena, playing her
first competitive match since winning the 2017 Australian Open while
eight weeks pregnant, had been scheduled to partner Lauren Davis for the
match against Lesley Kerkhove and Demi Schuurs.
But with the US having
already booked their spot in April’s semi-finals, captain Kathy Rinaldi
made the popular decision to pair up the Williams sisters, who have won
14 Grand Slam doubles titles together.
Serena, 36, had already
postponed her return this year, missing the Australian Open in January
to give her more time to recover from the birth.
She had revealed she was
bedridden for six weeks and had to have surgery after her daughter was
delivered by emergency caesarean section.
She said last week that she had not yet decided whether she will compete at this year’s remaining three Grand Slams.
from bbc sports