WATCH the WTA Tour LIVE in Australia on beIN SPORTS | Subscribe here and take advantage of our 7-day FREE TRIAL

Williams had not played competitively since the US Open in 2022 after signalling her intention to "evolve away" from the sport, but she rolled back the years on Wednesday. 

The 44 year-old partnered teenager Mboko to a 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 victory over third-seeded duo Nicole Melichar and Erin Routliffe at the Andy Murray Arena. 

Williams and Mboko will now face either Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund or Dutch duo Alexandra Panova and Demi Schuurs in the next round.

The American won 23 grand slam singles titles as well as 14 grand slam doubles crowns alongside her sister Venus, though she said her partnership with Mboko came naturally. 

"It was so fun. I had so much fun playing with Victoria. She was really able to hold up the team and play big on the big points," Williams said.

"I could rely on her. We have never played together but it felt so natural.

"I don't know. I had nothing better to do, I got tired of sitting at home. My kids are out of school for the summer, so why not?

"I never got to play here, it was always just the men. It feels really special to play somewhere so iconic."

Williams has already confirmed she will compete in the doubles at the Berlin Open in Germany next week, though she is yet to reveal whether she will play at Wimbledon. 

She won the tournament at the All England Club seven times in the singles, while also emerging victorious in SW19 in the doubles with Venus on six occasions. 

Mboko, meanwhile, is at the start of her career. She has shown promise in 2026, reaching the Qatar Open final back in February but lost to Karolína Muchova in straight sets. 

The Canadian was dumped out in the third round of the French Open by Madison Keys, but she believes, alongside Williams, they have a chance of going all the way at Queen's. 

"I feel very honoured to play with you Serena," Mboko added. 

"I had a lot of fun, we really did the business out there. I'm so happy to be playing alongside you, and we're going for more."