Serena Williams withdrew from the women’s doubles competition at Wimbledon due to a right knee injury, ending her scheduled meeting with her sister Venus Williams in the tournament.The 44-year-old was injured during her return to singles competition earlier this week, where she lost a three-set match.Announcing her withdrawal in a post on Instagram, Serena wrote: “It breaks my heart to have to withdraw from doubles. Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside Venus Williams again means the world to me. I did everything I could but unfortunately, my knee is not ready to compete.”Alongside the post, Serena shared photos of four syringes, saying they showed “the fluid that drained from my knee after the singles match.”
She also posted a video of herself walking with heavy bands on her right leg, while one of her daughters appeared to be carrying a cane for her.
Despite the setback, Serena indicated that she may return to competition soon, with the US Open looming.“All I can say is follow a city near you,” Serena added.The Williams sisters were scheduled to face Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra in the first round.
Their match was the only women’s doubles first-round match that had not been played earlier in the week, after it was postponed to give Serena more time to recover.Serena returned to singles competition on Tuesday, but lost 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 to 20-year-old Australian Maya Joynt.Venus also appeared in Friday’s mixed doubles event alongside Kevin Krawietz. The pair lost in straight sets to Teresa Mihaljkova and Lloyd Glasspool.The Williams sisters have won six women’s Wimbledon titles together.