Scott Clarke/ESPN Images(INDIAN WELLS, Calif.) — In her first official match since giving birth to her first child, Serena Williams defeated Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan at the Indian Wells BNP Paribas Open in California on Thursday. The final score showed Williams defeated 24-year-old Diyas 7-5, 6-3 in Round One.
Before getting back on the court, Williams celebrated on social media her return to tennis after the 14-month break.
“It’s official. My comeback is here,” she wrote in a caption on Instagram. “This Thursday I will start playing tennis again professionally for the first time since giving birth to my daughter. This whole month I am playing tournaments in California and Florida — both my home states.”
Williams also acknowledged that her return came on International Women’s Day. “My comeback could not have come on a better day,” she wrote.
During her break, the tennis star had her hands full. Not only did she and her now-husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, welcome their daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., six months ago, they also exchanged vows last November.
Ohanian also celebrated his wife’s return to the court on social media.
“#GMOAT (Greatest mother of all time) back to work tonight,” he wrote in a caption on Instagram. “Strong W, especially after everything you’ve been through. I’m so proud of you.”
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