Wimbledon 2026: Serena Williams' doubles match with sister Venus in doubt after knee injury during first-round singles loss
Serena Williams' comeback at Wimbledon might last even shorter than expected. During her first-round singles loss to Maya Joint, Williams sustained a knee injury that could put her doubles status in question.
Williams' agent, Jill Smoller, confirmed Williams' injury Wednesday, though did not rule out the 44-year-old from making her doubles appearance at the event, per BBC.com.
"Serena tweaked her right knee at the end of the first set and was therefore excused from her media obligations by the Wimbledon and WTA medical teams," said Williams' agent Jill Smoller.
"She left site that night unaided and is doing everything she can to be ready for her doubles match later this week."
Williams' knee was reportedly swollen after the match, to the point where staff offered her crutches, per the BCC. She declined that offer.
Williams is scheduled to take part in doubles matches at Wimbledon with her sister Venus. Their first match is scheduled for Thursday, July 2.
If Serena can play in the match, it would mark the first time since 2016 that she and Venus took the court together at Wimbledon. The duo won the doubles titles that year.
Tuesday marked the first time in four years Serena took part in a Grand Slam. After leaving the game following her 2022 appearance at the U.S. Open, Serena shocked tennis fans in June by announcing she was making a comeback.
Serena took part in both the HSBC Championships and Berlin Open — playing in doubles matches at both events — ahead of her singles return at Wimbledon. Her singles return didn't last long. Though Williams did take a set from Joint, the 20-year-old managed to pull out the victory in three sets.
After the loss, Williams did not take part in her media obligations due to the injury. She is not on the schedule to practice Wednesday, per ESPN. The 46-year-old Venus is set to practice, perhaps offering slight hope Serena will be able to recover in time for Thursday's match.
