Serena Williams’ tennis comeback takes unexpected turn after Victoria Mboko injury ends Queen’s Club run early

Serena Williams’ first tournament back in professional tennis ended much sooner than many expected. The 44-year-old returned to competition at the 2026 HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club in London, but her doubles campaign came to a stop after partner Victoria Mboko withdrew because of a left knee injury. The news came just days after Williams and Mboko made a strong start in the doubles draw. The pair won their opening match in straight sets and looked ready to continue their run. Instead, Mboko’s injury forced the team out of the event, bringing an early end to Williams’ first competitive appearance since the 2022 US Open.The comeback had already become one of the biggest talking points in tennis. Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, had spent nearly four years away from professional competition. Her decision to return surprised many in the sport and quickly drew attention from tennis fans around the world. According to ESPN, Williams kept her explanation simple when discussing why she decided to come back. She said, “I had nothing better to do.” While the comment was lighthearted, her appearance at Queen’s Club showed that she still has the desire to compete on the court.

Serena Williams and Victoria Mboko see promising Queen’s Club run cut short by injury

Before the withdrawal, Serena Williams and Victoria Mboko had given plenty of reasons for excitement. Their opening-round victory showed good chemistry despite having little time together as a doubles team.However, the momentum changed when Mboko suffered a left knee injury during her singles match. After medical evaluation, she was unable to continue in the tournament. As a result, the doubles partnership was forced to withdraw before playing another match.The development was disappointing because many people were eager to see how far the pair could go. Williams had not played a professional match since her farewell appearance at the US Open in 2022, making every match of her return closely watched.Despite the setback, Williams is not expected to stay away for long. ESPN reported that her next planned event is the Berlin Open. That means her return to the tour is still moving forward even though her time at Queen’s Club ended earlier than hoped.Meanwhile, reactions across social media focused largely on Mboko’s health. Many people shared messages wishing the young Canadian a speedy recovery while also expressing disappointment that Williams’ comeback tournament ended because of circumstances outside the players’ control.Although the result was not what Williams or Mboko wanted, the tournament still marked an important moment. Serena Williams is back on a professional court, and her return journey is expected to continue in the coming weeks.