Serena Williams‘s game was rusty, but the instincts that have made her an enduring champion carried her to a win in her return to the sport she had dominated for so long.
Williams, 40, ended a nearly yearlong absence from tennis Tuesday by teaming with Ons Jabeur to defeat Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain and Marie Bouzkova of Czechia 2-6, 6-3, 13-11 at the Rothesay International tournament at Eastbourne, England.
Their pairing was a surprise and their lack of familiarity was apparent early against the experienced duo of Sorribes Tormo and Bouzkova, but Williams surged as the match progressed.
