Serena Williams' doubles partner Mboko retires from London tournament with injury

Canadian tennis player Victoria Mboko was forced to retire from her first-round singles match at the WTA 500 tournament held at the Queen's Club in London due to knee problems. The match was part of the grass-court event with a total prize fund of $1.915 million.

Mboko was competing against Karolina Pliskova and had won the first set. However, in the second set, while leading 4-3, she slipped awkwardly while reaching for a ball near the baseline. She appeared to be in pain, clutching her left kneecap, and remained on the grass for several seconds before deciding to abandon the match.

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It was truly great. We had never played together before, but it was incredible to play with her today.

This injury raises concerns about Mboko's participation in the doubles competition, where she is partnered with the legendary American player Serena Williams. The pair had advanced to the quarterfinals and were scheduled to play Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

Serena Williams, 44, had made a successful return to the professional circuit. In the first round of the doubles, she and Mboko defeated Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe. In a post-match interview, Williams expressed gratitude to her 19-year-old partner, stating, "It was truly great. We had never played together before, but it was incredible to play with her today." Williams, a former world No. 1, acknowledged that while grass is not her easiest surface and she has been away from the game for four years, her performance was "okay."

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Considering everything, given that grass is probably not the easiest surface, adding four years (of not playing), overall, I think it was okay.