Why did Serena Williams withdraw at Queen's Club?

Serena Williams’ return ended after partner injury

Serena Williams’ doubles comeback at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club ended prematurely when her doubles partner, Victoria Mboko, was forced to withdraw with a knee injury. Mboko sustained the issue in the week’s run of matches, and it interrupted the pair’s attempt to extend their run in London.

Because the injury sidelined Mboko, Williams did not play further in the tournament—so the return tour that had generated attention for Williams at one of the sport’s historic grass-court stops was cut short without a tennis result deciding the outcome.

What it means

• Williams’ comeback timeline is disrupted: The injury removes the chance for competitive match play at Queen’s Club, which would have been a key early test on grass.
• Mboko’s availability becomes the next storyline: With a knee injury forcing the withdrawal, her recovery and whether she can return for subsequent events becomes the immediate focus.
• No loss-on-court finish: The end of Williams’ run wasn’t tied to a doubles defeat; it was directly caused by Mboko’s health.

The withdrawal also highlights how quickly tournament plans can change in doubles, where one teammate’s injury can end the entire pairing’s run.

If you’re tracking Serena’s 2026 plans, the next relevant question is how soon she can get back into match action once her partner is healthy again—or whether she changes partners for future events.