Injured Serena’s Wimbledon doubles bid with sister Venus in doubt

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Serena and Venus Williams

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Serena Williams could be forced to pull out of the Wimbledon doubles event after the American legend suffered a knee injury in her first round singles defeat.

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Williams, playing her first singles match in four years, was beaten by Australia’s Maya Joint in a three-set epic on Centre Court late on Tuesday evening.

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The 44-year-old, who retired in 2022, made a sensational comeback in June, playing doubles tournaments at Queen’s Club and Berlin.

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She is due to join forces with sister Venus Williams in the women’s doubles first round against Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra.

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There had been no indication of any injury to the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion during the Joint loss.

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But Serena did not attend the mandatory post-match press conference, instead issuing a short quote through tournament organisers.

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Players can be fined for skipping media duties but it was revealed on Wednesday that Williams is dealing with a knee problem.

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A statement from the seven-time Wimbledon singles champion’s agent Jill Smoller read: “Serena tweaked her right knee at the end of the first set and was therefore excused from her media obligations by the Wimbledon and WTA medical teams.

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“She left site that night unaided and is doing everything she can to be ready for her doubles match later this week.”

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Serena and Venus, 46, who were given a wildcard entry into the tournament, have won the Wimbledon doubles six times, with their most recent title coming in 2016.

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Serena has not won a Grand Slam singles crown since the 2017 Australian Open, while Venus last lifted a major singles trophy at Wimbledon in 2008.

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Serena said her astonishing comeback was motivated by a desire to play in front of her two young daughters.

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Her children watched their mother’s loss to Joint alongside her husband Alexis Ohanian and Venus in the players’ box on Tuesday.

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