Serena Williams has confirmed she is doing "everything [she] can" to be fit for the women's doubles draw at Wimbledon alongside her sister Venus after sustaining a knee injury during her singles comeback match. The 44-year-old tennis icon lost 6-3 7-6(6) 6-3 to Maya Joint on Centre Court on Tuesday evening in her first singles match in nearly four years.
Injury and Media Obligations
Williams did not attend her post-match press conference, which would normally incur a fine of up to £37,000. However, players are exempt from media duties in cases of illness or injury. Her agent, Jill Smoller, confirmed via the All England Club that Williams had tweaked her right knee at the end of the first set and was excused by the Wimbledon and WTA medical teams.
Williams Breaks Silence
On Wednesday, Williams posted on Instagram: "It felt so good to be back on the grass at @wimbledon. I'm incredibly thankful for the wild card - and even more grateful my daughters got to see that it's never too late to chase something you love. I tweaked my knee late in the first set, but I'll be doing everything I can to be ready for doubles with @venuswilliams." She also congratulated Joint on a great match.
Match Details
Williams appeared to limp towards the end of the first set and lost five consecutive games from 3-3. She fought back in the second set, saving four break points in a near-10-minute game at 5-5, and saved a match point in the tiebreak before forcing a decider. However, world No. 87 Joint took five of the last six games to win the match.
Doubles Prospects
The women's doubles event begins on Thursday, but the Williams sisters are not expected to play until Friday, provided Williams is fit. The siblings have won the women's doubles title at Wimbledon six times, with their most recent victory coming in 2016.
