Serena Williams’ knee injury clouds Venus doubles reunion
Serena Williams was excused from her mandatory Wimbledon press conference after a first-round loss to Maya Joint, her agent citing a knee problem that now leaves the 44-year-old’s doubles reunion with sister Venus in doubt.
Serena Williams, Wimbledon 2026 | © PsNewz
Serena Williams did not face reporters after her Wimbledon return ended in a first-round defeat, but the reason soon emerged – first through her agent, then from Williams herself on social media: she had injured her right knee during the match.
“I tweaked my knee late in the first set, but I’ll be doing everything I can to be ready for doubles with Venus”, Serena wrote on her social media, adding: “It felt so good to be back on the grass at Wimbledon. I’m incredibly thankful for the wild card – and even more grateful my daughters got to see that it’s never too late to chase something you love. Congratulations to Maya Joint on a great match, and thank you to everyone who showed up and showed me so much love. That feeling will never get old.”
Williams, 44, lost 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 to Australia’s Maya Joint on Centre Court on Tuesday night, her first singles match since the 2022 US Open.
Agent Jill Smoller had addressed the absence on Wednesday. “Serena tweaked her knee at the end of the first set and was therefore excused from her media obligations by the Wimbledon and WTA medical teams,” Smoller said, as reported by journalist Tom Kershaw. “She left site that night unaided and is doing everything she can to be ready for her doubles match later this week.”
Per information gathered by Tennis Majors, the physical concern is genuine: Williams’s right knee was visibly swollen on Tuesday evening.
Serena’s short statement
Players can be fined up to $50,000 for refusing to take part but may be excused for injury or reasonable grounds under the grand slam rulebook. Williams was deemed unable to fulfil her duties, and the club did not penalise her, instead releasing her statement.
“It was really great to be back at Wimbledon,” Williams had said in a statement sent to the All England Club. “I never expected to be here. The atmosphere was amazing.”
Williams is due to partner Venus, with whom she has won 14 grand slam titles including six at Wimbledon, in a first-round meeting later this week. Smoller’s wording – “everything she can to be ready” – left the reunion in doubt.
