Overview
- Serena Williams announced on Instagram on Saturday that she was “heartbroken” to withdraw from the Wimbledon women’s doubles with sister Venus because her right knee was not fit to play.
- The injury occurred during her opening‑round singles match against Maya Joint on Tuesday, a three‑set contest that Williams lost 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 after she reported tweaking the knee late in the first set.
- Wimbledon and WTA medical teams drained fluid from Williams’s knee after the singles match; she shared photos of syringes and a video of her bandaged leg to show the treatment she received.
- Tournament officials delayed the sisters’ doubles slot to allow extra recovery time but accepted Serena’s withdrawal and the pair have been removed from the draw and replaced by an alternate pairing.
- Williams, 44, staged a cautious comeback this summer with tune-up doubles at Queen’s and Berlin, and her statement hinted she may target North American lead‑ups or the US Open if her knee recovers.