Serena Williams’ eagerly anticipated return to competitive tennis at the Queen’s Club Championships is hanging in the balance after her doubles partner sustained a painful injury during their opening match. The American legend, who came out of retirement earlier this month, secured a hard-fought victory in the first round but now faces the prospect of having to pull out of the second-round tie.
Williams, 42, partnered with a fellow player for the doubles event at the prestigious west London club. However, during the first set, her partner landed awkwardly after chasing a wide ball and immediately clutched her ankle. Despite attempting to continue, she was clearly struggling and the pair eventually lost the match in three sets. Medical staff later confirmed a significant ankle sprain, leaving the partnership in serious doubt for the next round.
Speaking after the match, Williams expressed concern for her partner’s wellbeing. “It’s tough to see anyone get injured, especially when you’re building momentum together. We’ll assess things over the next 24 hours, but her health comes first,” she said. The former world number one, who has won seven Wimbledon titles, had used the Queen’s doubles event as a key part of her preparation for the grass-court season.
The injury could not have come at a worse time for Williams, who is looking to sharpen her match fitness ahead of Wimbledon. With the singles draw already underway at Queen’s, the 23-time Grand Slam champion had hoped to use the doubles competition to get valuable court time. If her partner is ruled out, Williams will be left without a replacement and may have no choice but to withdraw from the tournament entirely.
Organisers at the Queen’s Club are understood to be monitoring the situation closely, with a decision expected before the second-round doubles matches begin on Thursday. For British tennis fans, Williams’ presence at Queen’s has been a major draw, and her potential exit would be a significant blow to the tournament’s profile. The All England Club will also be watching developments, as Williams’ preparation for Wimbledon hangs in the balance.