Serena's Wimbledon Doubles Bid with Venus in Doubt

Serena Williams faced a potential withdrawal from the Wimbledon doubles event due to a knee injury sustained during her first round singles defeat. The American tennis icon experienced defeat against Australia’s Maya Joint in a challenging three-set match on Centre Court on the evening of July 1, 2026. This match marked her first singles appearance in four years.

During her remarkable comeback in June, having retired in 2022, Williams participated in doubles tournaments at Queen’s Club and Berlin. She was scheduled to team up with her sister, Venus Williams, in the first round of the women’s doubles, where they were set to compete against Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra.

There were no indications of injury during the match against Joint, yet Serena missed the mandatory post-match press conference. Instead, she provided a brief statement through tournament organizers. Players are subject to fines for neglecting media obligations, but it was brought to light that Williams is coping with knee issues. An agent for the seven-time Wimbledon singles champion, Jill Smoller, stated, "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."

Smoller added, "She left the site that night unaided and is doing everything she can to be ready for her doubles match later this week." Serena and Venus, who received a wildcard entry to the tournament, have claimed the Wimbledon doubles title six times, their last victory occurring in 2016.

Since winning the Australian Open in 2017, Serena has not captured a Grand Slam singles title, while Venus last claimed a major singles championship at Wimbledon in 2008. Serena expressed that her impressive return was motivated by her desire to play in front of her two young daughters, who watched their mother’s match alongside her husband Alexis Ohanian and Venus in the players’ box.