Victoria Mboko Withdraws From Queen’s Due to Injury

Victoria Mboko Withdraws From Queen’s Due to Injury

June 11, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom Sports

Serena Williams’ return to competitive tennis has been cut short at Queen’s after her doubles partner, Victoria Mboko, withdrew from the tournament due to a left knee injury. The 44-year-old tennis icon, who recently ended a nearly four-year hiatus from the sport, saw her campaign conclude prematurely following a medical incident involving the 19-year-old Canadian during a separate singles match on Wednesday.

Did You Know? Serena Williams returned to the court 1,375 days after her last competitive match, appearing in top form as she and Mboko secured an opening-round victory against the third-seeded duo of Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez.

Why the withdrawal occurred

The decision to withdraw followed a fall sustained by Mboko during her singles match against Karolina Pliskova. While trailing 6-2, 3-4, Mboko suffered an injury that forced her to retire from the contest. According to reports from the court, the teenager cried out in pain as she clutched her knee and was eventually forced to limp off the court in tears.

Why the withdrawal occurred

Impact on the tournament bracket

Because of Mboko’s injury, the scheduled Thursday quarter-final match between Williams and Mboko and their opponents, Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund, has been cancelled. Fernandez and Siegemund will now advance directly to the semi-finals by walkover. This development halts the momentum Williams had built on Tuesday, when she and Mboko upset the third-seeded pair of Routliffe and Melichar-Martinez with a 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 victory.

Expert Insight: The abrupt end to this doubles campaign marks a significant shift for Williams, who had demonstrated that her serve and groundstrokes remained sharp despite the 1,375-day absence. While the withdrawal prevents further competitive rhythm for the 23-time Grand Slam champion at this event, her opening performance suggested a high level of physical readiness that may influence her future scheduling decisions.

What comes next for Williams

With her doubles campaign at Queen’s effectively over, it is unclear if Williams will seek to enter other competitions in the immediate future. Analysts might suggest that her strong return performance on Tuesday could serve as a foundation for a return to professional play, provided she remains healthy. The immediate consequence of the withdrawal is a loss of match play experience for the veteran, who had not appeared in a competitive setting for nearly four years prior to this week.

Victoria Mboko Injury Scare Shakes Serena Williams’ Doubles Comeback at Queen’s Club

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Serena Williams withdraw from the Queen’s doubles tournament?
Williams did not withdraw by choice; the team was removed from the draw because her partner, Victoria Mboko, sustained a left knee injury during a singles match on Wednesday.

How did Victoria Mboko sustain her injury?
Mboko suffered a fall during her singles match against Karolina Pliskova while trailing 6-2, 3-4, which forced her to retire from that match and subsequently withdraw from the doubles bracket.

Who advances to the semi-finals in place of Williams and Mboko?
Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund, who were scheduled to face the pair on Thursday, will advance to the semi-finals.

What do you think the next steps will be for the 23-time Grand Slam champion following this unfortunate turn of events?