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The Williams sisters’ return to competitive pairs tennis is over before it even began.
In their first Grand Slam doubles competition together in almost four years, Serena, 44, and Venus were forced to withdraw from Wimbledon doubles after young Serena suffered a knee injury.
Serena was injured during her singles return earlier in the week – in a three-set loss.
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Serena Williams and Venus Williams of the United States during their women’s doubles match at Arthur Ashe Stadium against Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic during the 2022 U.S. Open tennis championship at the USTA National Tennis Center on September 1, 2022 in Flushing, Queens, New York. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
“I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. Coming back to compete again was a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside @venuswilliams again meant the world to me. I did everything I could but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete,” Serena said in an Instagram post.
The post included images of four syringes that Serena said “show the fluid they drained from my knee after my singles match.” An accompanying video showed her walking with straps up and down her right leg and what appeared to be one of her daughters holding a cane for her.
However, as the US Open approaches, Serena has indicated that she may soon play elsewhere again.
“All I can say,” Serena said, “is stay tuned to a city near you.”
Serena Williams, left, meets her sister Venus Williams after their match during the third round of the US Open tennis tournament in Flushing, New York on August 31, 2018.
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The Williams sisters – Venus is 46 – were set to play Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra. It was the only first-round doubles match that was not scheduled for earlier in the week, having been pushed back to give Serena more time to recover.
Serena was beaten 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 by 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint on Tuesday in her major comeback.
The Williams sisters are six-time champions as partners in women’s doubles at Wimbledon. It was the first time they teamed up at Wimbledon since their victory in 2016. It was also the first time they teamed up since the 2022 US Open, which they lost in the first round.
Serena Williams and Venus Williams of the United States during their women’s doubles match at Arthur Ashe Stadium against Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic during the 2022 U.S. Open tennis championship at the USTA National Tennis Center on September 1, 2022 in Flushing, Queens, New York. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
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Together they have 14 Grand Slam titles, as well as three Olympic gold medals, as a team and have never lost a final.
