Serena Williams knee injury forced the Williams sisters to pull out of the Wimbledon women’s doubles, ending a highly anticipated return to the All England Club together. Serena, 44, said her knee “wasn’t ready to compete” after she sustained an injury during her singles comeback earlier in the week, prompting the decision to withdraw from the doubles draw.
The withdrawal removes one of the tournament’s most prominent storylines: the sisters’ first Grand Slam doubles appearance at Wimbledon since 2016. Organizers, players and fans had built momentum around their teaming, and the decision was announced after assessments by medical staff and discussions with Serena’s team.
Fast facts
- Serena and Venus Williams withdrew from the Wimbledon doubles draw after Serena’s singles injury.
- Serena was injured during her singles comeback in a three-set loss earlier in the week.
- The sisters had been scheduled to play Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra in the first round.
- It was their first doubles appearance together at Wimbledon since 2016.
Serena Williams knee injury: Instagram update
Serena addressed the withdrawal in an Instagram post that included photos and a short video. In the post she wrote that she was “heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles” and called the chance to compete alongside Venus “a gift.”
“I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside @venuswilliams once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.”
Her Instagram images include what Serena described as four syringes and she wrote that the images “shows the fluid they drained from my knee after my singles match.” That description is attributed to Serena in her post and has not been independently verified by outside medical or tournament sources. A short video accompanying the post showed Serena walking with strapping on her right leg; the clip also included what appeared to be a family member nearby.
Impact on the draw and scheduled match
Serena and Venus had been slated to face Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra in the first round of the women’s doubles. That match had already been pushed back earlier in the week to give Serena more recovery time after her singles match.
With the Williams sisters withdrawing, Osorio and Sierra advance in the draw. Tournament organizers and the players involved have not announced additional scheduling changes related to the withdrawal. Wimbledon’s doubles schedule will proceed with alternates or byes applied where appropriate under tournament rules.
Their withdrawal also alters the competitive landscape in the doubles bracket: the presence of the Williams sisters had been a high-profile matchup for both fans and broadcasters, and their absence opens opportunities for other seeded and unseeded teams to advance further in the tournament.
What this means for future events
Serena’s Instagram post suggested she may still hope to play again before the U.S. Open, writing in part, “All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you.” That language indicates intent or aspiration rather than a confirmed schedule.
Any return to competition will depend on ongoing medical evaluation, treatment response and clearance from Serena’s medical team. Wimbledon’s on-site medical staff and her personal physicians are expected to coordinate on care and provide guidance about timelines, travel and any participation in warm-up events ahead of the hard-court season.
Background: Williams sisters’ doubles history
Serena and Venus Williams are one of the most successful doubles teams in tennis history. Together they have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals. The sisters are six-time Wimbledon women’s doubles champions as a team and had not teamed up at Wimbledon since their 2016 title.
Their partnership has been a defining storyline across two decades of the sport, blending Grand Slam success with Olympic achievements and numerous high-profile matchups. Their decision to reunite at a major drew widespread attention from fans, former players and media worldwide.
Outlook and next steps
In the short term, Serena’s return to singles or doubles at upcoming tournaments remains uncertain. If her recovery progresses quickly, selective appearances before the U.S. Open could be possible; if not, she and her team may opt for a more cautious approach to preserve long-term health and competitive readiness.
Fans and tournament followers should expect official updates from Serena’s team or Wimbledon organizers if her status changes. For now, Serena’s Instagram post and the tournament’s withdrawal notice are the primary public statements about her condition.
Source attribution
This report is based on coverage from Fox News with contributions from the Associated Press. The Instagram details about drained fluid are attributed directly to Serena Williams’ own social post and have not been independently verified by medical or tournament officials.
Source: Fox News – Williams sisters withdraw from Wimbledon doubles after Serena suffers knee injury. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
