Tennis legend Serena Williams’ stint in her first competitive tournament in almost four years appears to be over after her doubles partner was forced to withdraw with a left knee injury.
Nineteen-year-old Victoria Mboko was scheduled to line up along side the 23-time Gland Slam singles champion in the prestigious Queen’s tournament in London in their quarter final on Thursday.
However, she was forced to withdraw after suffering a fall in her singles match on Wednesday. The Canadian teen failed to finish that match against Karolina Pliskova, instead crying as she limped off the court.
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It means an end to the doubles campaign for Williams, 44, following the pair’s 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 triumph against third seeds Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez on Tuesday.
Despite spending 1375 days off the competitive circuit before Tuesday’s match, Williams appeared to have lost none of her class, with her trademark power serve and dominant groundstrokes on display.
Williams will continue her comeback through the doubles format with the star teaming up with world number 10 Czech Karolina Muchova in Berlin next week.
She is also said to be toying with a return to Wimbledon – the prestigious tournament she won seven times – but also in the doubles category.
It is understood she has not yet ruled out one day resuming her singles career.
Meanwhile there is little detail on the extent of Mboko’s injury but there are fears she will not make it to Wimbledon, which is due to start in less than three weeks.
