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The Williams sisters’ return to competitive tennis as a duo ended before it began.
In their first Grand Slam doubles competition together in almost four years, Serena, 44, and Venus were forced to withdraw from the Wimbledon doubles after young Serena’s 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 US Open Tennis Championships 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 retire from doubles. Getting back to competing has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside @venuswilliams once again meant a lot to me. I’ve done everything I can, 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, with the US Open approaching, Serena indicated that she may soon return to playing elsewhere.
“All I can say,” Serena said, “is keep an eye out for a city near you.”
Serena Williams, left, reunites with 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 years old) were slated to play Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra. It was the only first-round doubles match that was not scheduled earlier in the week, as it was postponed to give Serena more time to recover.
Serena was defeated 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 by 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint on Tuesday in her return to a major.
The Williams sisters are six-time champions as partners in women’s doubles at Wimbledon. It was the first time they had teamed up at Wimbledon since winning it in 2016. It was also the first time they had 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 US Open Tennis Championships 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, as a team, they have 14 Grand Slam titles, as well as three Olympic gold medals, and have never lost a final.
