‘My knee isn’t ready to compete’: ‘Heartbroken’ Serena Williams pulls out of Wimbledon doubles

Serena Williams withdrew from the women’s doubles at Wimbledon with a right knee injury, ending a planned meeting with sister Venus Williams at the tournament.The 44-year-old suffered the injury on her return to singles earlier this week, where she lost a three-set match.Serena announced her withdrawal in a post on Instagram, writing: “I am heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. To be back competing again has been a gift and the opportunity to play alongside Venus Williams has meant the world to me again. I did everything I could but unfortunately my knee is just not ready to compete.”Along with the post, Serena shared pictures of four syringes, saying they showed “the fluid they drained from my knee after the singles match.” She also posted a video of herself walking with heavy straps on her right leg while one of her daughters apparently carried a cane for her.Despite the setback, Serena suggested she could return to competition before long, with the US Open looming.“All I can say,” Serena added, “stay tuned to a city near you.”The Williams sisters were scheduled to face Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra in the first round. Their match was the only women’s doubles match in the first round not played earlier in the week after it was postponed to give Serena more time to recover.Serena returned to singles on Tuesday but was beaten 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 by 20-year-old Maya Joint.Venus also featured in the mixed doubles alongside Kevin Krawietz on Friday. The pair lost in straight sets to Tereza Miháliková and Lloyd Glasspool.The Williams sisters have combined to win six Wimbledon women’s doubles titles.