Serena Williams’ return to Wimbledon has ended earlier than expected.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion announced Saturday that she has withdrawn from the women’s doubles tournament because of a right knee injury. The decision ends the highly anticipated reunion with her sister, Venus Williams, who had been scheduled to compete alongside Serena in the opening round after the pair received a wildcard entry.
The sisters were set to face Camila Osorio of Colombia and Solana Sierra of Argentina. It would have marked their first doubles appearance together at Wimbledon in a decade and their first Grand Slam doubles match since the 2022 U.S. Open. Tournament organizers later confirmed the Williams sisters’ withdrawal and replaced them in the draw.
Serena Says Recovery Fell Short
Williams revealed the news in a social media statement. She also shared photos and videos documenting her treatment.
“I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles,” Williams wrote. “My knee isn’t ready to compete. I’ve done everything I could to recover, including draining fluid from my knee, but it’s just not enough.”
She continued by thanking Wimbledon officials, tournament staff and fans for their support throughout her comeback.
“Thank you to everyone at Wimbledon for the love and kindness. Thank you to all the fans who welcomed me back with so much warmth. It meant more than you’ll ever know.”
The injury occurred during Williams’ first-round singles match earlier in the week. She suffered the knee issue while facing Australian Maya Joint in her first Wimbledon singles appearance in nearly four years. Despite the injury, Williams completed the match before ultimately losing in three sets.
Following the match, Williams skipped her scheduled post-match press conference because of the injury. Her agent later said the tennis star was focused on treatment in hopes of returning for doubles.
Comeback Ends With Questions About the Future
Williams’ appearance at Wimbledon marked one of the biggest storylines of the tournament. The 44-year-old accepted a wildcard into the singles draw after spending nearly four years away from Grand Slam singles competition.
Her comeback generated significant excitement across the tennis world. Fans packed Centre Court to watch one of the sport’s greatest champions return to the All England Club. Her daughters, Olympia and Adira, also watched her compete, adding an emotional element to the occasion.
The doubles partnership with Venus carried additional significance. The sisters have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, including six Wimbledon championships. They remain one of the most accomplished doubles teams in tennis history.
Although the comeback ended sooner than hoped, Williams expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return to competition.
Her withdrawal leaves questions about whether fans have seen Serena and Venus Williams compete together for the final time. Neither sister has announced retirement plans following Wimbledon.