Serena Williams’ comeback ran into a setback Tuesday as she fell in the opening round of doubles at the Berlin Open.
Giuliana Olmos and Erin Routliffe beat Williams and partner Karolina Muchova 6-4, 6-4, ending her run at the WTA 500 grass-court event.
The result did little to dampen the reception Williams received from an appreciative crowd in just her second appearance back after her win at Queen’s Club last week in London.
That match marked her first professional outing since the 2022 U.S. Open, though her run there was cut short when partner Victoria Mboko sustained a knee injury during singles play.
The 44-year-old drew a loud ovation onto center court at Steffi Graf Stadion, with fans quickly filling the stands after word spread that she was on court.
