A tearful Serena Williams made a triumphant and victorious return to Indian Wells on Friday night, receiving a standing ovation from American-flag waving fans upon her entrance to Stadium Court and after her eventual victory, 14 years after she last played at the prestigious California tournament. In an uneven match filled with unforced errors, shouts and blown opportunities, the world No. 1 defeated No. 68 Monica Niculescu 7-5, 7-5. As would be expected in a match 14 years in the making, both players appeared nervous and tight throughout.

The emotion began early. During the pre-match introductions, Serena took off her headphones as her name was announced. When she heard the ovation and saw the crowd on their feet, she began crying while unpacking her tennis bag. At various times during the match she showed just as many feelings, screaming after hitting winners and concluding the first set with as vigorous fist pump as you’ll ever see.

The world No. 1 last played the so-called fifth slam as a teenager in 2001, when she defeated Kim Clijsters in the final amidst a hostile, ugly atmosphere during which racial epithets were allegedly used toward Richard and Venus Williams. The sight of an American crowd roundly booing an American star playing an up-and-coming Belgian was one of the oddest, nastiest scenes in recent tennis memory. It all stemmed from a controversy that began two days earlier, when Venus withdrew from a semifinal against her sister minutes before they were set to take the court, renewing accusations that Richard was “fixing” the sisters’ matches.

In the ensuing years, Serena was both encouraged and discouraged to return to Indian Wells, but she finally decided to return in 2015, revealing her decision in an online essay for Time.

(Getty Images)

She wrote:

Emotionally it seemed easier to stay away. There are some who say I should never go back. There are others who say I should’ve returned years ago. I understand both perspectives very well and wrestled with them for a long time. I’m just following my heart on this one.

The atmosphere was a bit different in 2015 than in 2001. (Screenshot)

In a Thursday press conference, the 19-time Grand Slam champion said she had the blessing of her family. Her father, who had seemed most hurt by the atmosphere in 2001, told Serena “it would be big mistake if [she] didn’t go back.” Venus said there wasn’t much of a conversation about the topic, but Serena said if her sister had reservations, she wouldn’t have returned.

(Getty Images)

It was a nervy match from both players, with Serena hitting sub-70 mph second serves and Niculescu, an awkward player to being with, sailing shots all over the court. After trading multiple breaks, Serena eventually took the first set. Another ugly set followed, with Serena blowing multiple match points at 5-4, then finally looking like her normal, dominating, dictating self and breaking at 6-5 to win the match.

Afterward, Serena told reporters that this was one of the biggest wins of her life, an amazing statement from the second-greatest Grand Slam champion of all time after an opening-round win at a non-major. And though she was little unsure whether she’d made the correct decision, “receiving the love from the crowd here, it really meant a lot to me.” She eventually knew she was doing the right thing.

(Getty Images)

Serena Williams’s return finally closes an ugly chapter in her career, which is one of the most fascinating stories in sports history. And at 33, she still seems to have plenty to write, at Indian Wells and beyond.

(AP)