No Regrets for Serena Williams in Return to Indian Wells

Nothing ever comes easy for Serena Williams at Indian Wells but at least she was able to slay some demons Friday and get her first victory in 14 years in the books.

The 33-year-old American made an emotional return to the venue she once vowed never to go back to as she beat Romania's Monica Niculescu 7-5, 7-5 in a two hour, three minute second-round match.

"It has been worth it coming back and being able to step back out here on the court and create some new memories," Williams said.

World number one Williams said she had tears in her eyes as she walked onto the court Friday for her long-awaited return.

"The days, the weeks before, even just the reaction of just being here, I was really a little bit worried about it," Williams said.

"But then the moments before, I was warming up, I was in my match mode, so I didn't really think about it until I walked out on the court. It was like, Oh, it's happening."

While it was only half full at the time, many in the 16,000-seat stadium on Friday stood and clapped as Williams walked out onto the court. As the match continued, and Williams' unforced errors added up, the yells of encouragement grew louder and louder.

But the positive reaction was everything Williams had hoped for after she decided to bury the hatchet and end her 14-year boycott of the event.

"It felt great walking out here and everyone wishing me well," she said. "So many people came out. I appreciate the love."

Williams got off to an unexpected slow start against world No. 68 Niculescu who won the first two games of the match and gave the top seed all she could handle in both sets.

Williams was playing in her first tournament since winning a sixth Australian Open title and 19th Grand Slam title by beating Maria Sharapova in January. She became the second oldest Grand Slam champion of the Open Era behind Martina Navratilova at 1990 Wimbledon.

She has won 55 titles since last playing at Indian Wells, including 18 of her 19 Grand Slams but she said this win ranks "super high" on her all-time list.

"Just being here is enough," she said. "I don't feel like I need to win this.

"I don't feel like holding up the trophy is necessarily a win for me.

"I mean, things were weird and tough. But I was able to do the work."