Serena Williams pulls out of doubles match with sister Venus at Wimbledon because of injury.

Serena Williams has pulled out of her doubles match with sister Venus at Wimbledon on Saturday due to a right knee injury. The 44-year-old Serena sustained the injury during her singles return earlier this week, resulting in a three-set loss.

“I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. It has been a gift to come back and compete, and playing alongside Venus Williams once again meant everything to me. I gave it my all, but sadly, my knee isn’t fit for competition,” Serena mentioned in an Instagram post.

The post featured images of four syringes, which Serena indicated, “show the fluid that was drained from my knee following my singles match.” An accompanying video depicted her walking with a brace on her right leg, and what appeared to be one of her daughters holding a cane for her.
As the U.S. Open approaches, Serena hinted that she may return to play elsewhere soon. “All I can say,” Serena stated, “is stay tuned to a city near you.”

The Williams sisters — with Venus being 46 — were set to face Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra. It was the only first-round doubles match not scheduled earlier in the week, having been postponed to allow Serena additional recovery time.

On Tuesday, Serena lost 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 to 20-year-old Maya Joint from Australia. Venus participated in the mixed doubles tournament on Friday with Kevin Krawietz, but they lost in straight sets to Tereza Mihalikova and Lloyd Glasspool. The Williams sisters are six-time Wimbledon women’s doubles champions.