Serena Williams Withdraws from Wimbledon Doubles Due to Knee Injury

Serena Williams withdrew from her doubles match with sister Venus at Wimbledon on Saturday. A right knee injury forced her to make this decision.

The 44-year-old had suffered the injury during her singles return earlier in the week, which ended in a three-set defeat. Serena expressed her sadness, stating, “I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. Coming back to compete again has been a gift. Playing alongside Venus Williams once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could, but my knee isn’t ready to compete,” she shared on Instagram.

Her post showed images of four syringes, illustrating the fluid drained from her knee after her singles match. An accompanying video depicted her with strapping up and down her right leg, while one of her daughters was holding a cane for her.

Despite the injury, Serena hinted at the possibility of playing elsewhere soon, especially with the U.S. Open on the horizon. She encouraged fans to stay alert for updates, saying, “stay tuned to a city near you.”

Serena and Venus were scheduled to play against Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra. It was the only first-round doubles match not scheduled earlier, providing Serena additional recovery time.

Serena’s singles match saw her beaten 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 by 20-year-old Maya Joint from Australia earlier in the week. Venus participated in the mixed doubles on Friday with Kevin Krawietz, ending their run with a straight-sets loss to Tereza Mihalikova and Lloyd Glasspool.

The Williams sisters have claimed the women’s doubles title at Wimbledon six times as partners.

Source: AP Tennis