Serena Williams exits Wimbledon doubles with Venus due to knee injury
Synopsis
Serena Williams's long-awaited doubles reunion with Venus at Wimbledon has been cut short before it began — a knee injury from her singles comeback match proved too much. With 14 Grand Slam doubles titles between them and a wild card already in hand, the withdrawal stings. But Serena's cryptic 'stay tuned to a city near you' suggests the comeback story is far from over.
Key Takeaways
Serena Williams withdrew from Wimbledon doubles on 4 July due to a knee injury sustained in her singles first-round match.
She and Venus Williams were scheduled to face Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio in the first round after receiving a wild card.
The sisters hold 6 Wimbledon doubles titles and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together.
Serena lost her singles comeback match to Maya Joint , 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 — her first Grand Slam singles appearance in nearly four years .
This would have been their first doubles match together since the US Open 2022 .
Venus Williams continues competing, with appearances at the Washington Open and Canadian Open lined up.
Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Wimbledon doubles draw alongside sister Venus Williams, citing a knee injury sustained during her first-round singles match, ending what would have been a highly anticipated reunion on the All England Club courts. The withdrawal was announced on Saturday, 4 July via Serena's Instagram account.
How the Injury Unfolded
Serena hurt her knee late in the first set of her singles return — her first Grand Slam singles appearance in nearly four years. She went on to lose a gruelling contest to Maya Joint, 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3, before confirming four days later that the injury had not healed sufficiently for doubles competition.
'I'm heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles,' Serena wrote. 'Coming back to compete has been a gift. The chance to play alongside Venus again meant everything to me. I did everything I could, but unfortunately my knee just isn't ready to compete.'
What Was at Stake
The Williams sisters, holders of six Wimbledon doubles titles and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles combined, had received a wild card into the draw. Their scheduled first-round opponents were Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio. The match would have marked the pair's first doubles appearance together since the US Open 2022 — which was also Serena's last singles outing before her comeback this season.
Serena's Comeback Trail
Before Wimbledon, Serena had been easing back onto the tour through doubles outings — partnering Victoria Mboko at the Queen's Club Championships and teaming up with Karolina Muchova in Berlin. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion has not specified a return date but left the door firmly open, telling fans: 'All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you.'
Venus Continues at Wimbledon and Beyond
Despite the doubles withdrawal, Venus Williams is not stepping away from competition. Her mixed doubles run at Wimbledon concluded on Friday, and she is scheduled to compete at both the Washington Open and the Canadian Open in the weeks ahead.
What Comes Next
The withdrawal adds another chapter to Serena's carefully managed comeback, which has been punctuated by fitness setbacks. Notably, this is the second time a knee issue has disrupted her return to Grand Slam competition — underscoring the physical demands of elite tennis at this stage of her career. Whether the Wimbledon doubles reunion eventually materialises at a future Slam remains the question fans are watching closely.
Point of View
Not motivation, is the limiting factor. The knee injury arriving in her very first Grand Slam singles match back raises legitimate questions about whether her body can sustain the demands of a full comeback, however carefully managed. What is striking is the contrast: Venus, older by a year, is still scheduling back-to-back hardcourt events without hesitation. Serena's 'stay tuned' sign-off is good copy, but the medical reality will ultimately set the timeline — not the narrative.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Serena Williams withdraw from Wimbledon doubles?
Serena Williams withdrew from the Wimbledon doubles draw because a knee injury sustained during her first-round singles match had not healed sufficiently to allow her to compete. She confirmed the decision on Instagram on 4 July.
How many Grand Slam doubles titles have Serena and Venus Williams won together?
Serena and Venus Williams have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, including six at Wimbledon. They had received a wild card into this year's doubles draw before the withdrawal.
When did Serena Williams last play doubles with Venus before this Wimbledon?
Their most recent doubles appearance together was at the US Open 2022, which was also Serena's last singles match before her comeback this season. The Wimbledon 2025 pairing would have been their first reunion in nearly three years.
Is Serena Williams done for the season after this withdrawal?
Serena has not announced a return date, but she suggested fans would not have to wait long, writing 'stay tuned to a city near you' on Instagram. No official timeline for her next appearance has been confirmed.
What is Venus Williams doing after the Wimbledon doubles withdrawal?
Venus Williams is continuing her season and is scheduled to compete at the Washington Open and the Canadian Open. Her mixed doubles run at Wimbledon had already ended on Friday before the withdrawal was announced.
