Four years after she retired from tennis, Serena Williams was playing again at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, back on the hardcourt turf where she once dominated rivals en route to six U.S. Open singles titles.

Her Queens comeback, however, began on Tuesday in mixed doubles, paired with Carlos Alcaraz, the No. 2-ranked man in the world. They won their first match handily, and were back on the court again for a second match. Unfortunately for Williams, Alcaraz and throngs of fans, they lost the second match on Tuesday evening and will not play again on Wednesday.

Williams last competed at the U.S. Open in 2022, before announcing she was stepping away from the sport in favor of her business ventures.

The mixed doubles competition is unfolding during Fan Week, a free event before the tournament’s main draw. The men’s and women’s solo matches begin on Sunday.

But before the main tournaments open play, Williams was thrilling fans once again.

Alcaraz’s future at this U.S. Open is also shrouded in uncertainty because of a wrist injury. But last week, with a succinct message, Alcaraz promised a return from his four-month break.

Williams had won a mixed-doubles title once before, in 1998, when she paired with Max Mirnyi, according to the U.S. Open.

Here’s a look at the highly anticipated return.