Serena Williams will play only singles qualifying at Queen's Club after her doubles partner withdrew. Victoria Mboko pulled out Friday due to a left knee injury sustained during Thursday practice. This sudden exit ends the high-profile comeback pairing before their first-round match could begin. The All England Club confirmed the withdrawal on its official draw sheet Friday afternoon. Williams now faces a solo path through qualifying rounds starting Saturday. Her team expressed disappointment but prioritized Mboko's health in a statement.
Mboko injury forces Queen's doubles withdrawal
Victoria Mboko withdrew from the Queen's Club Championships doubles event on Friday due to a left knee injury. This decision ended Serena Williams' planned doubles debut with her partner at the tournament. The injury occurred Thursday morning during a warm-up session before their scheduled first-round match, Sky Sports reported[1].
Tournament organizers confirmed the withdrawal was caused by the physical strain sustained during practice. The All England Club listed the pair as 'withdrawn' in the official draw sheet released Friday afternoon. This status change applies only to the doubles competition. Williams remains entered for the singles main draw if she qualifies through the qualifying rounds. Medical staff have not yet determined the severity of the knee injury or Mboko's expected recovery timeline.
Williams faces schedule change after partnership ends
Serena Williams will now compete only in the singles qualifying rounds starting Saturday. The doubles partnership with Victoria Mboko, formed specifically for this grass-court season opener, is no longer active. Media coverage leading up to the event focused heavily on the high-profile nature of the pairing, making the sudden shift a significant adjustment for the tournament. Sky Sports reported[1] that Williams' return to competition was expected to feature both disciplines.
Tournament officials stated they are reviewing the field but have not offered a replacement partner to Williams. A spokesperson for the American player said the team is "disappointed but supportive" of Mboko's decision to prioritize her health. This statement confirmed the focus remains on recovery rather than immediate competitive adjustments. Kuwait Times noted the withdrawal ended Williams' bid to win the Queen's Club doubles title.
Williams is currently training at her home facility in Florida while awaiting further updates from the tour. The Queen's Club Championships serves as a key warm-up tournament for Wimbledon, which is held two weeks later. Her schedule now depends entirely on her performance in the upcoming qualifying matches.
Knee injuries sideline top players ahead of Wimbledon
Multiple top-ranked players have withdrawn from recent grass tournaments due to lower-body injuries. This trend creates uncertainty for athletes and fans as the Wimbledon main draw deadline approaches next week. Sky Sports reported[1] that several high-profile exits occurred in the days leading up to this week.
Sports medicine experts note that rapid transitions to grass surfaces increase stress on knees and ankles. The sudden shift from hard courts to natural grass alters traction and impact forces on joints. Organizers warn that player availability for the upcoming Grand Slam may be reduced because of these physical demands. Teams relying on short-term partnerships face higher risk when one member suffers an acute injury, as seen with the Williams-Mboko pairing.
Williams remains entered for the singles main draw if she clears qualifying hurdles. Tournament officials have not offered a replacement partner for the grass-court event.
