Serena Williams’ comeback ends after just one match as injury cuts Queen’s Club run short

Serena Williams with her doubles partner Victoria Mboko. (AP photo) Serena Williams’ long-awaited return to professional tennis lasted just one match after her doubles campaign at the Queen’s Club came to an abrupt end on Thursday due to an injury suffered by her partner Victoria Mboko.The 44-year-old American made her comeback in style on Tuesday, returning to the courts for the first time since the 2022 US Open and helping 19-year-old Canadian Mboko upset third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe 7-6 (2), 6-2 in the opening round.However, the excitement surrounding Williams’ return proved short-lived.Mboko was forced to withdraw from the tournament after injuring her left knee in her singles match against Karolína Plíšková on Wednesday. The teenager collapsed at 6-2, 3-4 and was unable to continue, leaving the court in tears.As a result, Williams and Mboko withdrew from their scheduled quarter-final against Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund, who had advanced to the semi-finals via the crossover.

He shortened the return of dreams

Williams’ appearance at the Queen’s Club generated huge interest and the seven-time Wimbledon champion made her first professional appearance in 1,375 days.The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion retired from the sport after the 2022 US Open and famously said she was “evolving” from tennis rather than retiring.Despite her long absence, Williams showed flashes of her old brilliance alongside Mbok. The pair produced impressive wins over Melichar-Martinez and Routliff, raising hopes of a deep run at the grass court.But those hopes vanished less than 48 hours later due to Mbok’s unfortunate injury.

Berlin Open next on Serena’s agenda

An early exit does not mean the end of Williams’ comeback.The former world number one is expected to return to action next week at the Berlin Open, where she will compete again in the doubles draw. While her partner has not been officially confirmed, reports from London’s The Times suggest that Czech star Karolína Muchová could be hooking up with the American giant.Whether Williams will appear at Wimbledon remains uncertain.With seven titles at the All England Club and 23 Grand Slam singles crowns in total, the return of the tennis legend has already aroused excitement among fans. However, her Queen’s Club campaign served as a reminder that even those eagerly awaited returns can depend on factors beyond the player’s control.