Serena Williams withdraws from Wimbledon doubles match with sister Venus because of injury: ‘Heartbroken’

Serena Williams’ return to Wimbledon won’t get a second chapter. 

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion was forced to withdraw from her doubles match with her sister Venus on Saturday because of a right knee injury, she announced on Instagram.

Sunday was supposed to be the first time the sisters teamed up since the 2022 U.S. Open, as they were set to face Solona Sierra and Camila Osorio. 

Serena, who lost to Maya Joint, 3-6, 7-6 (8), 3-6, on June 30 in her singles return, posted a video of her with a brace on her right leg and limping while walking behind one of her daughters – along with photos of her getting treatment. 

“I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles,” Williams wrote in the caption. “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 to be ready, but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.

Serena Williams during her recent Wimbledon singles match. AFP via Getty Images

“I’m especially grateful to tournament director, Jamie Baker, and the entire tournament team for giving me every opportunity to play here. Thank you to the fans for your incredible support and for making this comeback so meaningful…All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you…”

The post also included pictures of syringes filled with liquid, which she explained was drained from her knee.

“The photo of the syringes shows the fluid they drained from my knee after my singles match…yikes!” she wrote. “The good news is my knee shouldn’t swell or collect that much fluid again. The bad news is that, as hard as I tried, I just wasn’t able to get it ready for doubles.”