Victoria Mboko’s injury raises doubts for upcoming doubles match with Serena Williams
Victoria Mboko’s participation in the Queen’s Club doubles alongside Serena Williams is now in serious jeopardy following a knee injury sustained during her singles match against Karolina Pliskova on Wednesday afternoon, reports BritPanorama.
The 19-year-old Canadian, currently ranked ninth in the world, lost her balance on the grass surface while trying to change direction, resulting in a fall that witnesses described as resembling a split. The injury was alarming enough for the crowd to gasp as Mboko immediately clutched her left knee and cried out in pain.
Despite being able to stand with assistance, the teenager appeared visibly upset as she conversed with medical staff. At the time of her withdrawal, she was trailing 6-2, 3-4 and facing a break point, marking the first retirement of her WTA Tour career amidst emotional tears.
This incident casts considerable uncertainty over Williams’ highly anticipated return to competitive tennis, which commenced just 24 hours prior at the same venue. On Tuesday, the 44-year-old partnered with Mboko to defeat third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe, securing a victory of 7-6 (2), 6-2, marking Williams’ first professional match since the 2022 US Open.
The pair was scheduled to compete against Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund in Thursday’s quarter-final, but that fixture now hangs in the balance. Tournament organisers have yet to clarify if a replacement partner for Williams could be found should Mboko be unable to continue competently.
Plans for Williams to also participate in doubles at the Berlin Open next week might similarly be impacted depending on her partner’s recovery. Pliskova, advancing to the quarter-finals by default following Mboko’s withdrawal, expressed her sympathy for the young athlete, stating, “It’s such a shame. I think we played quite a good game and she was improving as the match was going on.”
The grass-court event served as the backdrop for Williams’ long-awaited comeback after nearly four years away from professional competition, the last appearance being at the 2022 US Open before she stepped back from the sport entirely.
Support and best wishes have poured in for Mboko from fans and fellow players alike as the tennis community anticipates further updates on her condition ahead of the upcoming doubles match.
In a sport where fortunes can shift in an instant, this latest injury serves as a stark reminder of the physical toll professional tennis demands — unpredictability remains a constant companion on the court.
