Williams Sisters Withdraw from Wimbledon Doubles Due to Injury

The return of Serena and Venus Williams to competitive tennis as a duo was short-lived. They withdrew from Wimbledon doubles before their first match in nearly four years. Serena, aged 44, had to pull out due to a knee injury.

Serena sustained this injury during her singles match earlier in the week, resulting in a three-set loss. Her disappointment was evident in an Instagram post where she expressed heartbreak over the withdrawal.

“I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside @venuswilliams once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.”

The post included images showing the fluid drained from her knee, highlighting the severity of her injury. A video also illustrated her struggles, displaying her walking with support and the presence of her daughter holding a cane.

Despite the setback, Serena hinted at a potential return elsewhere, asking fans to “stay tuned to a city near you.”

The sisters were scheduled to face Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra. Their match had been delayed to allow more time for Serena’s recovery. Her recent singles defeat came from 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia, with scores of 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3.

Previously, the Williams sisters have claimed six Wimbledon titles in women’s doubles and last partnered there in 2016. Their previous team-up was at the 2022 U.S. Open, where they lost in the first round. As partners, they boast 14 grand slam titles and three Olympic gold medals, never losing a final.