Why did Serena Williams withdraw from Wimbledon doubles? Knee injury ends emotional reunion with Venus after long-awaited comeback

• Serena Williams withdrew from Wimbledon doubles because of a knee injury sustained during her singles match.

• The withdrawal canceled a highly anticipated Wimbledon reunion with sister Venus Williams.

• Serena said doctors drained fluid from her knee and hinted that her tennis comeback is not over.

Serena Williams withdrew from the Wimbledon 2026 women’s doubles event after a knee injury she sustained during her first-round singles match failed to heal in time

What was supposed to be one of the most emotional moments of Wimbledon 2026 turned into disappointment when Serena Williams withdrew from the women’s doubles tournament due to a knee injury, ending fans’ hopes of seeing her reunite on court with her sister, Venus Williams.

The sisters were set to face Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra in the first round, which would have marked their first Wimbledon appearance together since winning the doubles title in 2016. But on Saturday, Serena announced that her knee had not healed in time, bringing an unexpected end to one of the tournament’s most anticipated storylines.

Why Did Serena Williams Withdraw From Wimbledon Doubles?

Serena Williams pulled out of Wimbledon doubles after realizing her knee wasn’t ready for competition.

In a social media post, Serena said she was devastated by the decision, especially because she had been looking forward to playing alongside her sister Venus Williams again. “I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles,” she wrote. “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.”

Serena also thanked Wimbledon tournament director Jamie Baker and the tournament officials for giving her as much time as possible to recover before she made the final call. Her withdrawal came just hours before the Williams sisters were scheduled to begin their doubles campaign.

How Serena Williams Injured Her Knee

Serena Williams injured her knee during her first-round singles match at Wimbledon against Australian teenager Maya Joint. Playing her first Wimbledon singles match in four years, Serena twisted her knee in the opening set but continued through the pain. She pushed the match to three sets before losing 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3.

Afterward, the injury worsened. Serena revealed that her knee had swollen so much that doctors had to drain fluid from it. She shared photos showing four syringes filled with yellow fluid removed from her knee. “The photo of the syringes is the fluid they drained from my knee after my singles match, yikes!” she said. “The good news is that my knee shouldn’t swell or collect that much fluid again. The bad news is that, as hard as I tried, I wasn’t able to be ready for doubles.” She later skipped on-court practice while receiving treatment and monitoring her recovery.

Williams Sisters’ Wimbledon Reunion Was About More Than Tennis

Few tennis partnerships have been as iconic as Serena and Venus Williams. Together, they won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, six Wimbledon doubles championships, and three Olympic gold medals. Their blend of power, athleticism, and longevity reshaped women’s doubles for more than two decades.

But their impact went beyond trophies. As sisters competing side by side on the sport’s biggest stages, they became a defining story in tennis and inspired generations of players. That’s what made their planned Wimbledon reunion so meaningful, especially after Serena’s retirement and return to professional tennis.

Serena Williams’ Comeback in 2026

Serena Williams stepped away from tennis after the 2022 US Open, calling it an “evolution” rather than retirement. Her surprise 2026 comeback began with doubles appearances at Queen’s Club and Berlin, followed by a last-minute Wimbledon singles wildcard.

Many saw the return as a chance for Serena to step onto Centre Court again — and perhaps team up with Venus for one more Wimbledon doubles run.An injury cut the comeback short, but Serena hinted she may not be done yet. “All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you,” she told fans, suggesting more appearances could follow once she recovers.