Williams' knee injury leaves Wimbledon doubles in doubt

Serena Williams reacts during her Wimbledon defeat

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Serena Williams played her first singles match in almost four years on Tuesday

ByJonathan JurejkoBBC Sport tennis news reporter at Wimbledon

Published1 July 2026, 12:53 BST

Updated 18 minutes ago

Serena Williams' hopes of playing alongside older sister Venus in the Wimbledon doubles look in doubt after she injured her knee in her singles comeback.

The pair, who are six-time doubles champions at the All England Club, are due to reunite on a Grand Slam court for the first time since 2022 on Friday.

However, 44-year-old Serena Williams might not be fit enough to play after her knee swelled up during her defeat by Australia's Maya Joint on Tuesday.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion did not speak to the media following the match, with Wimbledon organisers saying she was "not able to undertake" her duties.

"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."

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

This video can not be played

Figure caption,

Williams edged by Joint in epic three‑setter on singles return

Missing the doubles would be a hugely-disappointing ending to Williams' highly-anticipated return to the All England Club.

The American superstar has been the centre of the attention in SW19 over the past few days, with a high level of intrigue about why she was coming back and how she would look on court.

Williams played what she thought would be the final match of her career at the 2022 US Open, but tellingly refused to use the word 'retirement' and instead said she was "evolving away" from tennis.

After 1,462 days away from Wimbledon, she stepped back on to Centre Court on Tuesday.

At the place where she won her seven singles and six women's doubles titles, Williams showed signs of her incomparable talent and could have earned a sensational win against 20-year-old Joint.

Joint held firm, though, to claim a 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 win.

However, Williams' fight and determination as she looked to satisfy an insatiable appetite to beat opponents - having famously said she hates losing more than she loves winning - may have come at a bitter cost.

Sources have told BBC Sport that Williams injured her knee in the first set and, despite receiving advice not to continue, carried on playing as she pushed Joint all the way.

After the match, Williams' knee was swollen and medical staff offered crutches to aid her walking - which she is said to have declined.

Williams has not yet ruled out being fit enough to play on Friday - but the indications would suggest that another emotional appearance on Centre Court with sister Venus is in serious peril.