Even though I was suspicious that Serena Williams would pull out of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC) exhibition at the last moment, the American legend showed up in Abu Dhabi and officially resumed playing competitive tennis just four months after giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia. The return was not victorious, though, as the new mom was defeated by the reigning Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko.
Wearing the pink/white version of her new extravagant Nike shoes, the 36-year-old Williams was quickly trailing by a set, but then recovered to force the third-set super tiebreak, which she lost and Ostapenko celebrated a 6-2 3-6 10-5 triumph.
This was Williams’ first match since her title win at the 2017 Australian Open and she’s on the player list of the 2018 tournament edition, although we’re yet to see whether she will be able to play such a demanding event so soon after giving birth. Judging by the fact that she won her 23rd Grand Slam title pregnant, we can have high expectations.
Too bad Serena lost but it was a good practice for her. I know she’ll make wonders this year. It will be a comeback!