Serena Williams’ Wimbledon doubles reunion with Venus Williams is now uncertain after she tweaked her right knee during her singles comeback loss.

Serena’s team says she is doing everything possible to be fit, but her availability for the much-awaited match remains in doubt.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion recently returned to the sport after stepping away following the 2022 US Open. Williams admitted she had to convince herself to accept the opportunity, as she was conflicted about returning to the iconic stage.

Serena Williams May Miss Wimbledon Reunion With Venus

Serena Williams’ highly anticipated Wimbledon doubles reunion with sister Venus is in doubt after the tennis legend suffered a right knee injury during her singles comeback.

Serena, 44, tweaked her knee late in the first set of her opening-round loss to Australia’s Maya Joint and was excused from her mandatory post-match media duties by Wimbledon and WTA medical staff.

Her agent, Jill Smoller, said the multiple Grand Slam champion left the grounds unaided and is “doing everything she can” to be ready for Friday’s doubles match.

The Williams sisters have won six Wimbledon doubles titles together, and are set to reunite on a Grand Slam court for the first time since 2022 after receiving a wildcard entry. However, Serena is now facing a race to recover in time.

Serena Was Unsure About Wimbledon Return

In a press conference ahead of her Wimbledon singles match against the 20-year-old Joint, Serena opened up about her decision to return to the tournament.

The tennis star was granted one of the tournament’s coveted wildcard entries but admitted she was initially conflicted about accepting the opportunity to compete.

“I thought I should really take this opportunity. Who knows if I’ll ever make it here again. This could be it,” the seven-time Wimbledon singles champion said, per ESPN.

“I was like, ‘What’s wrong with me, Serena? What are you thinking? Are you nuts? Like you really should do this,’” she further remarked. “People live to be an athlete. I have this great opportunity to showcase what I do, what I do best, I suppose. Yeah, I think ultimately I was like, that is pretty cool, so I should do it.”

Serena Williams Still Had Doubts Before Match

Even before the knee issue, Serena remained unsure whether returning to Wimbledon was the right decision, especially after her last appearance on the grass courts in 2022 ended in a first-round defeat to Harmony Tan, who was ranked No. 115 at the time.

“So, I think it was on; I had until Monday to decide. I think it was like Sunday. I just wasn’t sure up until then,” the tennis player said of her decision. “Honestly, I’m still not even sure, but we’ll see.”

Despite her mixed emotions, Serena had no intention of taking the match lightly and revealed that she had already begun studying Joint ahead of their Center Court clash.

“Yeah, actually, I know her. I’ve watched some of her videos,” Williams said, referencing Joint, who entered the tournament as one of Australia’s rising stars.

Serena Expected Nerves Before Comeback

Before the match, Serena expected to step onto Center Court feeling nervous, even though her opponent was not among the favorites to win the tournament.

However, the legend of the sport made it clear that those nerves had nothing to do with concerns about her intensity or physical condition after an extended absence from competitive tennis.

“I was also nervous every single match I ever played in my life,” Williams further revealed in the press conference. “I think that showed the passion and the love and the care, that I cared about my job, whether it was the first round or the second round or the finals. I’ve always had some nerves. But then I just dust ‘em off, then I move on.”

Serena Williams Said Champions Remain Dangerous

In the conversation, Serena also responded to comments from newly crowned French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, who admitted she was relieved not to face Williams in the first round at Wimbledon.

Serena said she was not surprised by the remarks, explaining that players understand that champions of her caliber can remain dangerous opponents even after an extended absence from the sport, given their experience and pedigree.

“I mean, Novak [Djokovic] is still here, but no one would want to play them in their first round. I can’t think of anyone that would want to do that,” Serena noted.

She also specifically noted that time away from the sport can allow a player’s game to evolve, making it difficult for opponents to know what to expect.