Serena Williams calls out British crowd member immediately after win | Tennis | Sport

Serena Williams called out a member of the Queen’s crowd for cheering when she pointed out that only male players used to compete at the west London event. Speaking after her first tennis match in nearly four years, which she won with Victoria Mboko in doubles, the legendary American was asked how she felt about appearing at Queen’s for the first time in her career.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion is now able to compete after Queen’s opened its doors to the WTA Tour last year. For 52 years, male competition was only held at the west London grounds, meaning Williams and her elite rivals did not get to play at the Wimbledon warm-up.

“I never got to play here, it was always just the men,” Williams said on court, to which point a member of the British crowd made a noise. The 44-year-old told them off by responding: “No yay! But it feels really special to play at a place so iconic that I saw so many of my friends win and do well in and just watch so many great matches, so it’s kind of cool.”

When asked why she chose this specific setting to make her grand return to the sport, Williams added: “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?

“It was so fun! I had so much fun playing with Vicky. She really was able to hold up the team and really play big on the big points, I could really rely on her. We’ve never played together but it just felt so natural playing with her, so it was actually really fun.”

Tatjana Maria won the first women’s competition at Queen’s since 1973 last year, but she was denied a wildcard entry and had to win two qualifying matches to enter the main draw.

The WTA pros have been the star attraction this year, although ATP competition does not get underway until next week.

But Williams making this venue the stage for her first appearance on tour again, coupled with Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter teaming up to play doubles on the same day, is producing sell-out crowds on Andy Murray Arena and headlines around the world.

And whether Williams plans to keep the show rolling into Wimbledon?

“Like I said the other day, it’s just a day at a time. I still have a little time to decide, and they have been great about giving me that space and time to decide.”

Wimbledon wildcards will be announced next week.