Williams' doubles comeback at Queen's Club ends after partner Mboko retires injured

The win hinted at a longer stay in London for Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion. According to the organizers, however, any further doubles appearances this week are now off the table. "Aus dem zweiten Auftritt von Serena Williams bei ihrem aufsehenerregenden Comeback im Londoner Queen's Club dürfte es aller Wahrscheinlichkeit nichts werden," the organizers said in announcing that Williams and Mboko would not advance to the quarterfinal.

A promising win, then a sudden halt

Mboko had also entered the singles draw, unlike Williams, and was contesting her round-of-16 match against Czech player Karolina Pliskova on Wednesday when the incident occurred. She slipped on the grass, immediately grabbed her knee, and retired without playing another point. The injury proved serious enough that she subsequently withdrew from the doubles event as well, leaving Williams without a partner for the next round.

"Das aufsehenerregende Tennis-Comeback von Superstar Serena Williams im Londoner Queen's Club hat ein plötzliches Ende genommen," the tournament said in a statement, confirming that the doubles run was over. Williams therefore made just one appearance during the tournament week in London — the Tuesday evening victory that had raised hopes of a longer run.

Wimbledon and Berlin still possible

For Williams, who has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles in her career, the abrupt end of her London comeback leaves several questions open. She has not confirmed whether she will play at Wimbledon, the Grand Slam classic scheduled to begin at the end of June. The only concrete next step on her announced schedule is a doubles appearance in Berlin the following week, though her partner for that event has not yet been officially announced.

Mboko's injury adds a sour note to what had been a promising tournament for the young Canadian, who had shown strong form alongside one of the most decorated players in the history of the sport. Her withdrawal from both the singles and doubles draws means the Queen's Club will not see Williams back on court this week.

The first-round victory over Melichar-Martinez and Routliffe — both experienced doubles players — offered a reminder of Williams' quality even at 44, four years after her previous competitive appearance. Whether the brief London outing will be followed by further appearances this summer, including potentially at Wimbledon, remains to be seen.

Williams' return had drawn significant attention given her status in the sport and the length of her absence. The early exit, driven by her partner's injury rather than her own performance, means that for now the comeback consists of a single match — a win, but a brief one.