Serena Williams’ participation in the women’s doubles event at Wimbledon is uncertain after she sustained a knee injury during her first singles match in nearly four years.
Her agent, Jill Smoller, issued a statement Wednesday confirming that Williams “tweaked her right knee at the end of the first set” of her match against Maya Joint on Tuesday.
Smoller explained that this was why Williams did not meet with reporters following the match, adding that she had been excused by both Wimbledon and WTA medical teams.
Smoller said, “She left site that night unaided and is doing everything she can to be ready for her doubles match later this week.”
Williams is scheduled to compete in doubles with her sister Venus Williams, beginning with a first-round matchup against Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra.
On Wednesday, Serena Williams was not listed for practice at the All England Club, while Venus Williams was slated to train alone.
On Tuesday, Serena Williams, 44, extended her first singles match since the 2022 US Open to three sets before losing 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 to Joint in a 2-hour, 22-minute contest.
During the match, there was no clear indication that the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion had sustained any injury.
She did not appear for the customary postmatch press conference, instead issuing a written statement.
“It was really great to be back at Wimbledon,” Williams said.
“I never expected to be here. The atmosphere was amazing. Walking out was amazing. I definitely relished it and missed it and enjoyed the moment more than anything.”
The Williams sisters have captured six Wimbledon doubles championships together, with their most recent title coming in 2016.
Serena Williams entered this year’s tournament as a wild card after earlier confirming her return to professional tennis. Before Wimbledon, she competed in two doubles events, teaming with Victoria Mboko and Karolina Muchova.
Throughout her return, Williams has repeatedly emphasized that her motivation is not centered on records or titles but on playing for her daughters and enjoying the game itself.
“I don’t need to win,” Williams said at Queen’s Club last month.
“I’ve won more than most people have in their whole lives, so it’s not that important to me, and it’s important that I keep reminding myself of that, because I don’t have anything to prove. I don’t have anything to lose, and everything here is just to gain.”