Williams' Comeback Uncertain
Serena Williams' Queen's Club Doubles Run in Doubt After Partner Victoria Mboko Suffers Knee Injury
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Key Points
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Williams and doubles partner Victoria Mboko advanced after beating third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 in their doubles opener.
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Williams’ comeback at Queen’s Club came after nearly four years away from pro tennis.
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Mboko entered the singles draw with a bye into the round of 16 before her first-round match against Karolina Pliskova ended in injury retirement.
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In the injury match, Mboko was down 6-2 in the first set and when leading 4-3 in the second she slipped behind the baseline, the stumble forcing her into the “splits” and drawing a gasp from the crowd.
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After the match ended, Pliskova said: “It’s such a shame… Of course, this is not the way we want to win. Hopefully she is going to be fine for Wimbledon.”
Serena Williams' comeback at Queen's Club has been thrown into doubt after her doubles partner, Victoria Mboko, retired from a singles match with a left knee injury on Wednesday. Mboko slipped behind the baseline while trailing Karolina Pliskova 6-2, 3-4, collapsed into an involuntary split, and told the physio: "There's no stability right now. I can't put weight on the turn," according to Sky Sports.
Williams and Mboko had just pulled off an upset, beating third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 in the doubles opener. Their quarter-final against Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund was scheduled for Thursday — but Mboko's fitness now casts that match in serious doubt, ESPN reported.
How the Injury Unfolded on Centre Court
Mboko entered the singles draw with a bye straight into the round of 16. She lost the first set 6-2 to Pliskova. Leading 4-3 in the second, she reached back for a lob, her left foot slid on the grass, and she went down hard in a full split. The crowd gasped. She immediately grabbed her knee, according to kob.com.
Medical staff treated her on court for roughly 12 minutes. At 14:42 GMT, she retired from the match in tears. Pliskova, the Czech veteran, showed immediate concern on court. She said: "It's such a shame… Of course, this is not the way we want to win. Hopefully she is going to be fine for Wimbledon," per perthnow.com.au.
Williams Marks Nearly Four Years Away With Winning Return
Williams last played professionally at the 2022 US Open — 1,372 days before stepping on court at Queen's Club this week. Her return drew huge attention. In the doubles win over Melichar-Martinez and Routliffe, her fastest serve was clocked at 118 mph, just 10 mph off her career best, according to The Guardian.
Before the tournament, Williams said: "I'm here to find my rhythm. Playing with Vicky gives me that young energy I need to see if the engine is still there." The pairing was widely described as a "bridge between generations," per BBC Sport. Ticket prices for Thursday's doubles quarter-final surged 400% on secondary markets after the opening win.
'No Stability' Comment Raises Fears of Serious Knee Damage
Mboko's words on court alarmed medical experts. Dr. Sheila Thorne, a sports orthopedist, told The Daily Mail that "lack of stability" in the knee after a slip is often a sign of a ligament injury — potentially the ACL or meniscus. If confirmed, such an injury could end not just her Queen's run but her entire 2026 season.
MRI results were pending as of Thursday morning. Williams and Mboko remained listed on the order of play for the quarter-final, but ESPN reported that an official withdrawal was expected. Under WTA rules, Williams cannot swap in a new partner mid-draw, meaning if Mboko pulls out, Williams exits doubles at Queen's entirely.
Wimbledon Wildcard Hopes Hang in the Balance
Queen's Club was always seen as a warm-up for Wimbledon. Playing consecutive matches on grass helps partners build court rhythm and tactical timing. Losing that opportunity hurts Williams' preparation. The All England Club typically announces wildcards in mid-June. If Williams cannot complete a full competitive match here, the committee faces a tough call, Telegraph Sport noted.
Williams is also scheduled to play doubles at the Berlin Open next week. If Mboko is ruled out, she would need a new partner there too — or withdraw. timesgazette.com reported that the coming 24 hours are critical in determining whether Williams' grass-court summer continues or stalls before it properly begins.
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