Serena Williams’ Queen’s Doubles run in doubt after partner suffers injury

What began as a feel-good comeback story at Queen’s has suddenly been thrown into uncertainty after Victoria Mboko suffered a worrying knee injury during her singles match.

The 19-year-old Canadian was competing against Karolina Pliskova when it happened. While chasing down a forehand, Mboko slipped awkwardly and immediately grabbed her left knee, crying out in pain as she fell to the court.

Although she managed to get back to her feet and return to her chair, the young player appeared visibly distressed. Moments later, she covered her face with a towel before retiring from the match and leaving the court in tears.

The injury now casts doubt over the doubles campaign of Serena Williams, who made her return to competitive tennis on Tuesday after nearly four years away from the sport.

Williams and Mboko had enjoyed a strong start to the tournament, defeating the third-seeded pair to advance to the quarter-finals. However, their scheduled clash against Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund is now in question as fans await an update on Mboko’s condition.