Serena Williams' Wimbledon comeback has hit an obstacle she couldn't overcome in time for her first-round doubles match. The tennis great announced Saturday on Instagram that she was pulling out of the women's doubles draw with her sister Venus because her right knee "isn't ready to compete." Williams, 44, who shared video of herself walking with a heavily wrapped knee and images of syringes used to drain fluid, said she was heartbroken but called her return to competition "a gift," ESPN reports. Serena had received wild cards for both singles and doubles and played her first singles match in nearly four years on Tuesday, a three-set loss to Maya Joint on Centre Court. Her agent said she tweaked the knee late in the first set.
Tournament officials gave the sisters an extra day to prepare for their opener against Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra, but Serena had not been seen practicing and withdrew shortly before a scheduled Saturday session. The 14-time major doubles champions, six-time winners at Wimbledon, will be replaced by Samantha Murray Sharan and Lanlana Tararudee. Venus, 46, played in the mixed doubles tournament on Friday alongside Kevin Krawietz, losing in straight sets to Tereza Mihalikova and Lloyd Glasspool, per the AP. Serena thanked fans and the tournament and hinted she'll play again: "All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you." The BBC points out that the US Open begins Aug. 30.
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