Serena Williams’ Comeback Cut Short at Queen’s Club After Partner’s Injury

Quick Recap of Serena’s Queen’s Club Return

Serena Williams, aged 44, made her first tournament appearance since retiring, partnering with rising British player Victoria Mboko at the Queen’s Club Championships on June 10, 2026. The pair upset the third‑seeded duo Nicole Melichar Martinez and Erin Routliffe with a 7-6(2), 6-2 victory.

Mboko’s Knee Injury Forces Withdrawal, Ending Williams’ Doubles Run

During Mboko’s opening singles match against former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, she slipped on the grass, suffered a left‑knee injury and retired from the match, prompting her to withdraw from the doubles draw. Consequently, the Williams‑Mboko partnership was forced to exit the tournament.

Match Scores and Tournament Implications

• Williams/Mboko defeated Melichar Martinez/Routliffe 7-6(2), 6-2.
• Mboko was trailing 0-1 in the second set against Pliskova before the injury.
• The third‑seeded pair were slated to face Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund next.

What the Early Exit Means for Williams’ 2026 Season

The abrupt end highlights the challenges of returning to the tour at an advanced age and underscores the risk of relying on a young partner still establishing her footing on grass. It also puts pressure on Williams to secure additional match play before Wimbledon.

Looking Ahead to Berlin and Wimbledon Wildcards

Williams is scheduled to travel to Berlin, where she has received a doubles wildcard, and she is expected to be among the wildcard entries for Wimbledon when the list is announced next week. Mboko’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, leaving her future participation in upcoming events unclear.