While tennis fans were eagerly waiting for this, destiny had something else written. Tennis legend Serena Williams has been forced to withdraw from her doubles partnership with sister Venus at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships after suffering a right knee injury.
The 44-year-old American, making a surprise return to competitive tennis, tweaked her knee during her first-round singles match against Australia's Maya Joint earlier in the week. Despite efforts to recover in time, including having fluid drained from the joint, Williams announced she was unable to compete in the doubles event.
Serena Williams withdraws from Wimbledon doubles with Venus due to Knee injury
In an emotional Instagram post, Williams expressed heartbreak over the decision but gratitude to the tournament organisers for their support. She wrote:
“I did everything I could to be ready, but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.”
Serena made her comeback in doubles at the HSBC Championships and Berlin Tennis Open in June and singles at Wimbledon. She had received a wild card to play doubles for the grass Grand Slam alongside her sister, but the injury forced her to withdraw.
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