Serena Williams Exits Queen’s Doubles After Victoria Mboko Injury Blow

Serena Williams’ Queen’s Club doubles comeback ends early after Victoria Mboko suffers injury setback before second round.

Serena Williams’ return to competitive tennis at Queen’s Club has been cut short after doubles partner Victoria Mboko withdrew from the tournament with a knee injury.

Tournament organisers confirmed on Thursday that Williams and Mboko had pulled out of the doubles competition, ending their campaign before the second round.

The Canadian teenager suffered the injury during her singles match against Karolina Pliskova on Wednesday. Mboko left the court in tears after retiring while trailing 6-2 3-4 in the second set, raising doubts over her participation at Wimbledon.

Williams and Mboko had made an impressive start to their partnership, securing a 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 victory over third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe in the opening round. The match marked Williams’ first competitive appearance since the 2022 US Open.

The pair had been due to face Canada’s Layla Fernandez and Germany’s Laura Siegemund in the second round on Friday, but Mboko’s injury means the match will no longer take place.

Despite the setback, Williams is set to continue her comeback at the Berlin Tennis Open, which begins on June 15. Her doubles partner for the tournament has yet to be announced.

Speaking ahead of the event, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion said: “Every tournament I add to my schedule right now feels special, and Berlin is no exception.”

“I’m excited to compete in front of the German fans and continue building momentum throughout the grass-court season.”