Serena Williams’ doubles campaign at Queen’s is in jeopardy after her partner Victoria Mboko suffered a knee injury in her singles match against Karolina Pliskova.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion, 44, made her return to tennis on Tuesday after almost four years away from the sport, playing doubles alongside Mboko.
The pair knocked out the third seeds, but there is now uncertainty around their quarter-final match after Mboko suffered a nasty fall on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old Canadian cried out in pain as she slipped while trying to reach a forehand by Pliskova and went down clutching her left knee.
Mboko was able to get to her feet and walk back to her chair a few moments later, but she was visibly upset and covered her face with a towel before retiring and leaving the court in tears.
“It’s such a shame. I think we played quite a good game and she was improving as the match was going on,” said Pliskova, who was leading 6-2 3-4.
“I wish her only the best. It’s not the way I want to win so hopefully she is going to be fine for Wimbledon.”