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Serena Williams' comeback cut short by partner's injury

Jun 10, 2026, 7:28 PM40
(Update: Jun 11, 2026, 3:11 PM)
Canadian tennis player
American tennis player (born 1981)
Czech female tennis player

Serena Williams' comeback cut short by partner's injury

  • Victoria Mboko suffered a knee injury during her singles match against Karolina Pliskova.
  • The injury forced her to withdraw from the tournament, ending her and Serena Williams' doubles campaign.
  • This incident highlights the unpredictability of sports and raises questions about Williams' future in professional tennis.
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In London, Serena Williams' return to professional tennis faced an abrupt end due to an injury to her doubles partner, Victoria Mboko. The incident occurred during the last 16 of the singles match against Karolina Pliskova, where Mboko, a 19-year-old Canadian, suffered a knee injury after slipping behind the baseline. Despite having won their opening doubles match together, the injury forced Mboko to withdraw from the tournament, effectively ending Williams' doubles campaign at Queen's Club after just one match. Williams had previously announced her participation in the Berlin Open, but her new partner has yet to be confirmed. The match against Pliskova was a critical moment for Mboko, who was attempting to break Pliskova's serve while leading 4-3 in the second set. After losing the first set 6-2, she experienced instability in her knee, which led to her retirement from the match. This unfortunate turn of events not only impacted Mboko's singles journey but also dashed the hopes of Williams, who was making her much-anticipated comeback after nearly four years away from the sport. The duo had previously achieved a notable victory against the third-seeded team of Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe, showcasing Williams' enduring talent and competitive spirit. The injury to Mboko highlights the unpredictable nature of sports, where a single moment can change the course of a player's career and impact their partners. Williams, a 44-year-old tennis icon with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, had expressed her excitement about returning to the court. However, the injury has raised questions about the future of her comeback and her ability to compete at a high level again. The tennis community will be watching closely to see how both Williams and Mboko recover from this setback. As the tournament progresses, the focus will shift to the remaining competitors, while Williams prepares for her next challenge at the Berlin Open. The anticipation surrounding her return to the sport remains high, but the injury to her partner serves as a reminder of the physical demands and risks associated with professional tennis. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how Williams adapts to this new chapter in her career and who she will partner with in Berlin.

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