Serena Williams drew a tough first-round opponent for her Queen's Club doubles comeback.
She and 19-year-old partner Victoria Mboko will open against No. 3 seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe at the HSBC Championships. The match is set for June 9th in London.
Williams & Mboko Gear Up for Queen's Club Doubles Opener
Routliffe holds two Grand Slam doubles titles, while Melichar-Martinez has 19 WTA doubles trophies. But the seeded pair has never played a competitive match together.
Melichar-Martinez had planned to partner with Cristina Bucsa. However, she withdrew late with an injury. Routliffe, meanwhile, has teamed with several partners in 2026, including Jelena Ostapenko. And that late shuffle could work in Williams and Mboko's favor.
For Williams, the match marks a return to competitive play after stepping away from the sport in 2022, and she's chosen a partner already making a name on tour. Mboko has had strong showings at her last few WTA tournaments, including a finals appearance at the 2026 Strasbourg Open.
The pairing blends Williams's Grand Slam experience with the Canadian's recent form on clay and grass.
Still, Melichar-Martinez and Routliffe should give the newly formed duo stiff competition when they meet in the opening round.
How to Watch Serena Williams at the 2026 HSBC Championships
The Queen's Club runs through June 14th, with live coverage on The Tennis Channel.
