Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Wimbledon doubles competition due to a knee injury, ending her planned reunion with sister Venus at the All England Club.
Williams, 44, announced her withdrawal on Instagram, stating, "I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside Venus once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete." She posted images of herself receiving treatment and showed four syringes filled with fluid drained from her knee.
The announcement drew sharp criticism from many tennis fans who accused Williams of using her return as a publicity stunt and taking a wildcard entry away from a more deserving player. "We all knew this [would happen]. You did too. Your ego took a place from a hardworking, deserving pro," one user wrote on X.
Other comments directed at the tournament's official account included, "It wasn't. Wimbledon, you have been mugged. Awful decision to have them [the Williams sisters] back." Another fan suggested, "Do NOT allow her to play next year without qualifying. @Wimbledon does not need any further displays of her lack of sportsmanship and common courtesies."
Some commenters speculated, without evidence, that Williams' injury was linked to weight-loss drugs and accused tournament organizers of manipulating the schedule for her benefit. Remarks such as "She wasted everybody's time"; "It was strictly PR for her and it backfired"; "Predictable farce"; "Just stay retired instead of embarrassing yourself"; and "End this pantomime" were also posted.
However, some fans supported Williams, applauding her comeback attempt and noting her desire for her children to see her play. Others stated she has "nothing to prove."
This latest controversy follows criticism after Williams skipped the mandatory media conference following her first-round singles loss. Her agent later explained the absence was due to the knee injury that led to her doubles withdrawal. The All England Club had scheduled the Williams sisters for a late slot on Saturday, granting Serena additional time to recover, but she posted her withdrawal notice at 3:45 p.m., just before a scheduled practice.
Commentator Pav Gill criticized Williams' actions, stating on X, "Rules are rules... unless you are Serena Williams." He suggested her missed press conference was due to being hurt by her performance and that she wouldn't have played if she felt she couldn't win. Fellow commentator Simon Cambers expressed disappointment, writing, "Impressed at how hard @serenawilliams fought tonight. Not impressed that she refused to do her obligatory media conference. Having been given a wildcard by @Wimbledon, that's not on."
The Williams sisters were not on the order of play for Friday, the final day of the first round of the women's doubles.