Serena Williams’ agent has cast doubt over her upcoming Wimbledon doubles match alongside sister Venus Williams. The uncertainty follows her grueling three-set singles defeat to Maya Joint.
Jill Smoller, Williams’ longtime agent, said the 44-year-old sustained a knee injury during her opener against Joint on Tuesday.
Serena Williams’ Agent Speaks on Her Press Conference Absence at Wimbledon
Williams staged her highly awaited Grand Slam return on June 30, going up against 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint as a wildcard. The American delivered a remarkable performance in what was her first singles match in almost four years. She fought off a match point in the second-set tiebreak to force a deciding set, but Joint eventually closed out a 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 victory.
After the match, Williams canceled her post-match press conference and instead relayed a message through tournament officials. “It was really great to be back at Wimbledon. I never expected to be here. The atmosphere was amazing. Walking out was amazing. I definitely relished it and missed it and enjoyed the moment more than anything,” the message read.
Skipping a post-match press conference can carry significant consequences, including fines imposed by the tournament. As a result, Williams’ decision drew criticism and prompted questions across the tennis community.
Following the backlash, Williams’ agent, Smoller, explained that the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion had suffered a knee injury during the match. According to reports, Williams was provided with crutches after the contest, but she left the All England Club without assistance.
“Serena tweaked her knee at the end of the first set and was therefore excused from her media obligations by the Wimbledon and WTA medical teams. She left site that night unaided and is doing everything she can to be ready for her doubles match,” she said, according to the Times.
Serena Williams is scheduled to return to the court on Thursday, July 2, for her opening doubles match alongside sister Venus Williams. The legendary duo will face Colombia’s Camila Osorio and Argentina’s Solana Sierra in the first round.
The match will mark Serena and Venus’ first appearance together since the 2022 US Open, where Serena bid an emotional farewell to professional tennis before making her long-awaited return at this year’s Wimbledon.
MORE: Serena Williams Cancels Press Conference After Singles’ Heartbreak but Issues Brief Statement
The Williams sisters have won six Wimbledon women’s doubles titles together and also captured Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games. If Serena is fully fit to compete, the duo will be aiming to claim their 15th Grand Slam doubles title as a team.
