Serena Williams Wins First Comeback Match 14 Months After Welcoming Daughter

The champ has returned!

Serena Williams won her first match at the BNP Paribas Open just four months after giving birth to daughter Olympia. The tennis superstar beat Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan during her comeback match on Thursday.

Williams told reporters after the match, “It was incredible. It’s been over a year and a kid later and I get to go home to her now, and I’m excited about that.”

The Guardian reports that Williams received a standing ovation from her family after winning the match. “It definitely wasn’t easy,” she told reporters. “We always have a couple tight sets. It was good. I’m a little rusty, but it doesn’t matter. I’m just out here on this journey and doing the best I can.”

After finding out it was also International Women’s Day, the tennis pro added, “It was meant to be I think. I’m really happy about that.”

Williams and husband Alexis Ohanian welcomed their daughter Olympia back in September and the little one is already on the way to becoming a tennis star herself. Williams recently shared a pic of Olympia with her own little tennis racket.

We’re happy to see Williams back on the court and look forward to seeing her dominating the sport once again.