Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Wimbledon doubles competition with her sister Venus due to a knee injury sustained during her first-round singles loss. The 44-year-old announced the decision on Instagram, expressing her disappointment but emphasizing the importance of the opportunity to play alongside Venus. The sisters, who have won six Wimbledon doubles titles together, were set to compete in their first Grand Slam doubles match in nearly four years.
Williams shared images of the medical treatment she received, including syringes filled with fluid drained from her knee. She noted that while the swelling should not return, her knee was not ready for doubles play. The withdrawal marks the end of a highly anticipated comeback for the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, who had not competed in a major tournament since 2022.
In her post, Williams thanked the tournament organizers for their support and expressed gratitude to her fans. She hinted at future appearances, saying, 'All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you.' The sisters were scheduled to face Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra in their opening match, which was postponed to allow Williams additional time to recover.
Williams' singles campaign ended in a three-set loss to 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia. She had previously partnered with Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko at the WTA event at Queen's Club, but their campaign was cut short due to Mboko's knee injury. The Williams sisters last played doubles together at the 2022 U.S. Open, where they lost in the first round.