Serena Williams has withdrawn from her planned Wimbledon doubles comeback alongside sister Venus Williams after suffering a knee injury, ending hopes of the pair’s first Grand Slam appearance together since 2022.
The 44-year-old announced her withdrawal on Saturday, saying her knee was not fit enough to compete despite efforts to recover in time for the match.
“I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. 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.”
The Williams sisters, six-time Wimbledon doubles champions, had been scheduled to face Colombia’s Camila Osorio and Argentina’s Solana Sierra later on Saturday. Their return had generated excitement among fans, with Wimbledon delaying the scheduling of the match to give Serena as much time as possible to prove her fitness.
Williams sustained the injury following her three-set singles defeat to Australia’s Maya Joint on Tuesday. Although she showed little sign of discomfort during the match and did not require medical treatment on court, her knee reportedly swelled significantly afterwards, ultimately forcing her withdrawal.
In photographs shared on social media, Williams revealed her left knee heavily bandaged alongside images of syringes she said had been used to drain fluid from the joint.
She also thanked Wimbledon organisers for accommodating her recovery efforts and expressed gratitude to supporters for their encouragement throughout her comeback.
“I’m especially grateful to tournament director Jamie Baker and the entire tournament team for giving me every opportunity to play here. Thank you to the fans after your incredible support and for making this comeback so meaningful. All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you.”
The withdrawal disappointed fans hoping to see the iconic sisters reunite on a Grand Slam stage. Between them, Serena and Venus have won 12 Wimbledon singles titles and six doubles crowns together at the All England Club.
Despite the setback, Serena’s return to Grand Slam competition after four years away has been viewed as encouraging. Her singles performance against Joint showcased flashes of the powerful serving, aggressive shot-making and fierce competitiveness that defined her career, although questions remain over whether her body can withstand the demands of a sustained comeback.
Williams has not confirmed her next tournament, but attention is expected to turn to the North American hard-court season, which culminates in the US Open from August 30 to September 13.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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