Serena Williams’ Wimbledon return did not last long, as it ended in a first-round singles defeat on Tuesday. 

Williams also developed a knee problem that has now left her doubles appearance with her sister Venus in question. 

The seven-time Wimbledon singles champion was beaten by Australia’s Maya Joint 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3, then later reported to have tweaked her right knee during the match.

The bigger concern came after the match, when Williams skipped her scheduled press conference because of the knee issue. 

Her agent, Jill Smoller, said Williams tweaked her right knee at the end of the first set and was excused from media duties by Wimbledon and WTA medical teams.

That injury has put her planned doubles match in doubt, although reports from multiple sources are saying that Williams is racing to recover in time for the women’s doubles first round later this week. 

Her camp also noted she left the venue unaided and is doing everything possible to be ready. From all indications, the injury is not as serious as it sounds.

The match was quite important, as it marked Serena’s first competitive singles outing since 2022. 

She arrived at Wimbledon on a wild-card entry and drew one of the tournament’s biggest crowds, but the result and the injury have made the rest of her comeback uncertain.

The 44-year-old stepped back from tennis after years of trying to get her 24th grand slam title. 

Although she never announced an official retirement, it was generally agreed by all that she had bowed out from the sport she had been active in since turning pro in 1995. 

Her knee injury is a sign that her body can’t take what it used to years ago, and she would struggle against younger, faster players. 

For now, the focus is on whether she can recover quickly enough to partner Venus. 

Wimbledon has not ruled her out, but the knee problem means her doubles return depends on how well she responds in the next few days.