Williams made her first grand slam outing since the 2017 Australian Open in a straight-sets victory over Kristyna Pliskova, sporting an eye-catching black catsuit.
The very first game featured an ace at 112 miles per hour (181 kph) and when it ended with Pliskova netting a backhand, the chair umpire intoned, "Jeu, Madame Williams", - French for "Game, Mrs. Williams", a change from the "Mademoiselle" officials use for unmarried female players. But it wasn't just Williams' return to major championship tennis that caught everyone's attention.
Serena Williams of the United States serves during her ladies singles first round match against Kristyna Pliskova of Czech Republic during day three of the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris.
The 36-year-old unseeded Williams is seeking her 24th Grand Slam title. It wasn't easy but I have been training really hard. She backed out of the recent Madrid and Rome tournaments, saying she didn't think she was ready to play. "It's great to be in this draw and great to be back on a court that I have had great success at". It was Williams who broke first for a 3-2 lead, only for Pliskova to return the favour and leave her illustrious opponent visibly frustrated.
Her first point was a dropshot to chase, and it was the initial indication that her movement was definitely improved from her performances in America.
"I am just so happy to have won a match here. thank you all".
More news: Warriors complete one of most lopsided seven-game series in National Basketball Association historyHe blew a 5-2 advantage in the opening set, then a 3-1 buffer in the second.
Serena Williams of the United States of America in action at the French Open. Dads are, too, but I actually breast-fed for a really, really, really long time, and so I just had this real connection with my daughter.
"I think it's an extremely tough question", she said. A double fault gifted the break back as both began to throw in errors simply not present in the first set.
"Forgotten how Serena is hated by the Roland Garros crowds?"
Williams has spoken about health concerns over blood clots in the days after giving birth, and on Tuesday said: "Yeah, the catsuit, I had a lot of problems with my blood clots, and, God, I don't know how many I have had in the past 12 months".