Serena Williams will not take the court at Wimbledon this summer, withdrawing from the women’s doubles draw just days before the tournament begins. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion had planned to partner with her older sister, Venus, in what would have marked their first joint appearance at the All England Club since 2018. A knee injury forced the late change, ending a highly anticipated comeback on the grass courts where Serena has won seven of her major singles titles.
The Williams sisters received a wildcard entry into the doubles event, a discretionary spot granted by tournament organizers rather than earned through ranking. Their partnership has historically been dominant on grass: together they have captured six Wimbledon doubles crowns, most recently in 2016. Serena, now 41, has not competed in a singles match at the Championships since tearing her hamstring during her first-round match in 2021 — an injury that saw her retire on Centre Court in tears. She played only one official match in 2022, a doubles loss at the US Open alongside Venus, before stepping away from competition to focus on family and business ventures.
Wimbledon has been the stage for many of Serena’s defining moments. Her seven singles titles there span from 2002 to 2016, placing her second only to Martina Navratilova’s nine in the Open Era. The sisters’ doubles record at the tournament is equally imposing: six titles from eight finals, with a 45–5 win–loss record as a team. Their last appearance together at SW19 came in 2018, when they fell in the third round. Since then, both have battled recurring injuries — Venus, 43, has played sparingly over the past three seasons, while Serena’s return attempts have been derailed by physical setbacks.
For fans and the broader tennis ecosystem, the withdrawal represents more than a shuffled doubles bracket. The Williams sisters have been central figures in growing the sport’s global audience, particularly among women and communities of color. Their presence at Wimbledon — even in a doubles-only capacity — carried symbolic weight, linking the tournament’s traditions to a modern era of power, athleticism, and cultural influence. Broadcasters and sponsors had built promotional plans around their return; ticket demand for early-round doubles sessions often spikes when the sisters play.
On a practical level, the vacancy alters the doubles landscape. The wildcard will likely be reallocated to another British or international pair, offering a rare opportunity at a major. For Serena, the decision underscores a pattern: she has not completed a full season since 2019, and her competitive future remains uncertain. While she has not formally announced retirement — preferring the term “evolving away from tennis” — each withdrawal narrows the window for a competitive return.
Neither sister has outlined a revised schedule. Venus has indicated she intends to keep playing selectively, while Serena has focused on venture capital through her firm Serena Ventures and family life with husband Alexis Ohanian and daughter Olympia. The US Open, where Serena reached the final in 2018 and 2019, looms as the next major milestone — but only if health permits. For now, Centre Court will miss its most decorated modern champion, and the doubles draw proceeds without its most storied pairing.
Image: Photo: Kindel Media · Pexels
Based on reporting from BBC News.
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