Serena Williams pulls out of Wimbledon doubles due to knee injury

Serena Williams’ Wimbledon comeback is over after she withdrew from her doubles match due to a knee injury.

Williams and sister Venus, given a wild card into the women’s doubles, were due to play their first-round match on Saturday evening.

But the 23-time grand slam singles champion suffered a knee injury during her singles comeback match against Maya Joint on Tuesday.

“I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles,” she wrote on Instagram.

“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.”

Williams made a shock return to the sport she dominated for more than two decades at Queen’s last month and was announced as the final women’s singles wild card last week.

Serena Williams made a return to Wimbledon this year. / Credit: PA

The 44-year-old was competitive against Joint, a player 24 years her junior, in a 6-3 6-7 (6) 6-3 defeat on a packed Centre Court.

The sisters, who are six-time doubles champions at Wimbledon, were due to reunite at a grand slam for the first time since 2022.

But Williams posted footage of her limping in a heavy bandage, as well as some syringes full of fluid, as she confirmed her withdrawal from the Championships.

However, the American superstar hinted her comeback to the sport is far from complete.

“I’m especially grateful to tournament director, Jamie Baker, and the entire tournament team for giving me every opportunity to play here,” she added.

“Thank you to the fans for your incredible support and for making this comeback so meaningful. All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you…

“The photo of the syringes shows the fluid they drained from my knee after my singles match…yikes!

“The good news is my knee shouldn’t swell or collect that much fluid again. The bad news is that, as hard as I tried, I just wasn’t able to get it ready for doubles.”

Venus Williams, 46, played in the mixed doubles with German partner Kevin Krawietz on Friday afternoon, but they were beaten 6-4 6-4 by Lloyd Glasspool and Tereza Mihalikova.