Serena Williams played in her first competitive tennis match in over a year as she lined up alongside her sister Venus Williams in a doubles match at the Fed Cup.

The former world No1 played in an exhibition match in December after giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia, but skipped this year’s Australian Open. Alexis Olympia was courtside as her mother and aunt played in a dead-rubber doubles contest against Holland on Sunday.

The Williams sisters were beaten 6-2, 6-3 by Lesley Kerkhove and Demi Schuurs but the US team had already won the tie to advance to the semi-finals.

“It was really special to be back out here with Venus and we’re so happy Team USA won today,” Williams said after the game. “I’m really happy to be here and that we advanced to the next round.”

On her daughter being in Asheville, North Carolina to witness her match, she added: “It’s her first match so I’m glad she got to see it.”

William’s last grand slam title was at the 2016 Australian Open before she took time away from the circuit to give birth to her daughter. The Williamses have been one of the best doubles pairings on the circuit for years and have won 22 titles together.

In an interview with Vogue last month, Williams revealed she was bedridden for six weeks after the birth of Alexis Olympia following an emergency caesarean section.