Serena Williams of america sits during a changeover in her first round women’s singles match against Maya Joint of Australia, on the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska)
LONDON–Serena Williams’ Wimbledon comeback is over after the American legend pulled out of the doubles as a consequence of a knee injury on Saturday.
Williams and her sister Venus were as a consequence of play in the primary round on Saturday, but Serena announced just hours before the match that her knee had not healed enough to play.
“I’m heartbroken to need to withdraw from doubles,” the 44-year-old said on Instagram.
READ: Venus Williams relishes Wimbledon reunion with sister Serena
Serena, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, suffered the injury during her defeat against Australia’s Maya Joint in the primary round of the Wimbledon singles on Tuesday.
That was her first singles match for the reason that 2022 US Open after 4 years in retirement.
The sisters, who won the Wimbledon doubles six times, were scheduled to face Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio after being given a wild card entry into the event.
But no court was specified by tournament organisers within the order of play, raising the chance that seven-time Wimbledon singles winner Serena could withdraw.
To the frustration of her legion of fans, Serena did just that, revealing the fluid on her injured knee made it inconceivable to proceed her sensational return to Wimbledon.
“Coming back to compete again has been a present, and the chance to play alongside Venus over again meant the world to me,” she said.
“I did all the pieces I could to be ready, but unfortunately my knee just isn’t able to compete. The photo of the syringes shows the fluid they drained from my knee after my singles match…yikes!”
Serena made an astonishing return to tennis at Queen’s Club last month, where she played within the doubles with Canadian Victoria Mboko.
But an injury to Mboko curtailed Williams’ run within the Wimbledon warm-up event after the pair won their first match.
‘Stay tuned’
Serena Williams of america, left, and Maya Joint of Australia shake hands at the tip of their first round women’s singles match on the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska)
Serena then crashed out in the primary round of the Berlin doubles with Karolina Muchova before accepting Wimbledon’s offer of a wild card into the singles last week.
Serena had been motivated by a desire to play in front of her two young daughters Olympia and Adira, but they saw their mother feature in only one match at Wimbledon.
Serena competed gamely in her three-set defeat against Joint — a player 24 years younger than the American — on a packed Centre Court.
She didn’t fulfil her scheduled post-match press conference and her agent later said that was as a consequence of the knee injury, setting off speculation she would need to quit the doubles.
Williams posted footage of her limping in a heavy bandage, in addition to some syringes filled with fluid, as she confirmed her withdrawal.
“The excellent news is my knee shouldn’t swell or collect that much fluid again. The bad news is that, as hard as I attempted, I just wasn’t in a position to get it ready for doubles,” she said.
“I’m especially grateful to tournament director, Jamie Baker, and all the tournament team for giving me every opportunity to play here.”
Now questions might be asked about her ability to get better in time for the US Open later this 12 months, while it is much from certain how for much longer Serena’s comeback tour will last.
Hinting she shouldn’t be finished yet, Williams said: “Thanks to the fans to your incredible support and for making this comeback so meaningful. All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you…”