Serena Williams' tennis comeback at Queen's could be over before it has barely started after her doubles partner suffered a nightmare fall during her singles match on Wednesday.
Mboko Forced to Retire
World No. 9 Victoria Mboko was forced to retire in tears after falling heavily in the second set of her match against Karolina Pliskova. Mboko's leg twisted awkwardly in the incident as medics rushed to the court to help her.
Mboko had fought back to lead the second set 4-3 after losing the first before she attempted to change direction and collapsed to the floor in agony after suffering the knee injury.
The 19-year-old called for the physio and took a medical time-out, but was unable to continue after the incident that now casts severe doubt on her participation in the doubles.
Emotional Scenes
Mboko was overheard saying she was scared to put pressure on her leg as she was helped from the court in front of disappointed spectators. She is scheduled to play with Williams in the doubles again on Thursday, having won their first-round match against third seeds Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez.
Mboko and Williams are still currently on tomorrow's order of play against Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund, but it remains to be seen if it actually goes ahead.
Pliskova's Reaction
Pliskova, who has suffered serious injuries of her own in her career, said: "First of all, such a shame. I think we played quite a good game today and I think she was improving as the match was going (on). It would have been a nice match but I wish her only the best. Of course, this is not the way that we want to win. Hopefully she is going to be fine."
Expert Analysis
Former British number one Annabel Croft said on BBC Two: "It's a heartbreaker, you hate to see that. She would've been so excited to play with Serena once again. It's just a classic grass-court injury where the legs go in different directions and then you twist the knee. You just hope and pray that she's not out for Wimbledon."
Croft added: "She's absolutely devastated and it's devastating for all the fans watching her because she's such a great, bright hope and doing so well out there on the tour."
Play Suspended
All play at Queen's was suspended shortly after Mboko's departure as heavy rain hit west London again for the third day running.
