Serena Williams’ emotional return to Wimbledon has been cut short after a knee injury forced her to withdraw from her highly anticipated doubles match alongside her sister, Venus Williams.
The American sisters, six-time Wimbledon doubles champions, were set to reunite on a Grand Slam court for the first time since 2022 on Saturday. However, Serena, 44, was ruled out after suffering a knee problem following her singles defeat to Australia’s Maya Joint earlier in the week.
“I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles,” Serena wrote on Instagram.
“Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside Venus once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could to be ready, but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.”
Serena had shown little sign of discomfort during her three-set loss to Joint and did not require on-court treatment. But the injury reportedly worsened after the match, with her knee swelling significantly. She later shared photos revealing heavy bandaging on her left knee and syringes used to drain fluid from the affected area.
Wimbledon officials had delayed scheduling the doubles match against Colombia’s Camila Osorio and Argentina’s Solana Sierra, giving Serena every opportunity to prove her fitness. She was even due to practice on Saturday before announcing her withdrawal just minutes before the session.
The decision left fans at the All England Club disappointed, as many had hoped to witness another memorable chapter in the legendary Williams sisters’ partnership, which has produced six Wimbledon doubles titles and 12 Grand Slam singles crowns between them.
Serena also thanked Wimbledon tournament director Jamie Baker, the organisers, and fans for supporting her comeback.
“I’m especially grateful to the tournament team for giving me every opportunity to play here. Thank you to the fans for making this comeback so meaningful. All I can say is, stay tuned to a city near you,” she added.
Although her Wimbledon campaign ended earlier than expected, Serena’s return after four years away from Grand Slam singles offered encouraging signs. She displayed flashes of the dominant form that earned her 23 Grand Slam singles titles, delivering powerful serves, trademark winners, and the relentless fighting spirit that defined her career.
With the North American hard-court season and the US Open approaching, attention now turns to whether Serena can recover fully and continue her comeback. The biggest challenge remains whether her body can withstand the demands of top-level competition, but her determination suggests the story may not be over yet.
