Mystery detail in Serena Williams' winning return leaves netizens scratching heads

Serena Williams made a competitive return to tennis, winning her doubles match in Eastbourne tennis event ahead of Wimbledon 2022. The 23-time Grand Slam champion teamed up with Ons Jabeur to beat Marie Bouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo 2-6, 6-3, 13-11 to advance to the second round of the tournament. Besides the victory in her first match, Serena Williams also made headlines for three black patches on her right cheek, which left everyone puzzled.

Serena Williams' return: Netizens react to three black patches on her cheek

Speaking of the match, Serena Williams was making just her third appearance and made a slow start to the game alongside Jabeur. Williams scored the first point of the match with her opening serve which was clocked at 90 mph (145 kph).

Having not taken to court for 12 months, Williams struggled in the first set, and looked irritated after she was unable to get low enough to a face shot by Sorribes Tormo. Williams finally managed to hit a winner after 25 minutes, with a smash. Williams’ agility improved in the second set, though she slipped while rushing into the net.

The former World No 1 set up a set point with a backhand winner from the baseline and took the match to a tiebreaker. Williams showed a desire to dive to her right to make a volley which could not be returned, that set up one of the three-match points. The win was clinched when Sorribes Tormo miscued a volley.

Serena Williams' Wimbledon record

The 40-year-old Serena Williams did not feature in the WTA tour since her first-round exit at Wimbledon last year due to injury. In 2021, Williams lost her footing on the slick grass and then her right leg buckled, leading to just the second mid-match retirement at any Grand Slam tournament of her career, and first since 1998.

However, this year the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) decided to give her a wildcard entry into Wimbledon 2022 tournament. Williams has won seven Wimbledon championships, with her last title coming in 2016. The American was the runner-up at the All England Club back in 2018 and 2019. The tournament was cancelled in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.