Serena Williams’ appearance in the women’s doubles alongside her sister Venus later this week is in doubt because of a knee injury.
The 23-time grand slam singles winner played her first singles match since the 2022 US Open on Tuesday, which ended in a 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 loss to the 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint on Centre Court, and is due to play with Venus at Wimbledon for the first time since they won their sixth doubles title a decade ago.
Williams did not attend the mandatory post-match press conference on Tuesday night, which under the terms of the grand slam rulebook can lead to players being fined up to $50,000 (£46,500), unless they are “unable to appear on reasonable grounds”.
In a statement, Williams’s agent, Jill Smoller, said the 44-year-old had been excused from media duties as a result of a knee injury sustained during the first set. There was no indication during the match that Williams had hurt herself and the extent of her injury is unknown, although she has skipped media duties in the past.
“Serena tweaked her right knee at the end of the first set and was therefore excused from her media obligations by the Wimbledon and WTA medical teams,” the statement read. “She left [the] site that night unaided and is doing everything she can to be ready for her doubles match later this week.”
Serena and Venus, whose combined age is 90, have been granted a wildcard by the All England Club to enter the doubles. Williams had issued a short statement instead of conducting interviews after receiving a standing ovation on leaving Centre Court.
The All England Club declined to comment, but sources indicated that she would not be fined as she was unable to fulfil her media commitments.
“It was really great to be back at Wimbledon,” Williams said. “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.”
