Serena Williams’ comeback at Queen’s Club is over after doubles partner Victoria Mboko suffered a knee injury in her singles match last night.
Williams, 44, playing her first tennis match in almost four years on Tuesday, was teaming up with 19-year-old Mboko for the women’s doubles.
The pair beat third seeds Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez at the Andy Murray Arena in front of a sell-out crowd.
After “evolving away” from tennis in 2022 after 23 Grand Slam titles in a glittering 27-year career, Tuesday’s win seemed like the start of a fairytale return.
With Williams and Mboko due to play their quarter-final clash against Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund on Thursday evening, Mboko faced off against Karolina Pliskova in the singles on Wednesday evening.
Mboko, trailing 6-2 3-4 to Pliskova, was forced to retire after a nasty fall, leaving the court in tears.
Her withdrawal from the women’s doubles was confirmed on Thursday morning, with Fernandez and Siegemund receiving a bye to the semis, ending Williams’ comeback.
Her return was only confirmed last week after announcing her partnership with Mboko at Queen’s Club.
On why she returned to tennis, Williams said: "I had nothing better to do, I got tired of sitting at home. My kids are out of school for the summer, so why not?
"I never got to play here, it was always just the men. It feels really special to play somewhere so iconic."
Her daughters Olympia, 8, and Adira - born in 2023 - watched on from the stands at Tuesday’s match, alongside father and tech tycoon Alexis Ohanian.
Williams may play at Wimbledon, which begins on 29th June, but no decision has yet been confirmed regarding her involvement.
