It was a great atmosphere for Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka’s official return on Thursday night. Both seemed happy and dominating on the court. There were many parallels between the two former number ones on this night. Both have recently had kids and took time off. They were playing on Women’s day, and struggled for moments in the first set of their respective matches before dominating their opponents in the second set.

Vicka was leading 5-1 and serving for the first set, when she lost three straight games to Watson. She won hers 6-4, 6-2. Serena was struggling on her return game and dumping routine forehands and backhands into the net during the first set, but was able to settle in, and cruise to a 7-5, 6-3 victory.

It was exciting to watch both these great players get back to what they do best. Although, Serena’s husband would argue that she is also the GMOAT (Greatest Mother of All Time) in addition to being the GOAT in tennis. He made this clear when he decided to splash four massive billboards across Palm Springs highway. I’m not going to argue with that. If she’s 50% as good as she is a tennis player, she’s probably the GMOAT as well. Either way, that kid is going to be one heck of an athlete. Not that Vicka’s son won’t be a heck of an athlete either. Both these kids could potentially enter the mixed doubles at Wimbledon 2038 and win it.

But I digress, it will be interesting to see how far both Serena and Vicka go in this tournament. They are both in the bottom half of the draw, where Serena’s good friend Caroline Wozniacki is the number two seed. Vicka next plays Sloan Stephens, while Serena could see sister Venus if she gets through tough competitor Sorana Cirstea. Either way, we have an exciting week of tennis ahead of us!