The American Serena Williams twisted her knee on Tuesday during the first round of Wimbledon but assured Wednesday that she was going to “do everything” to play the doubles with her older sister Venus in the coming days.
“It was so good to be back on the grass at Wimbledon,” commented the former world No.1 on Instagram the day after her 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 defeat against Australian Maya Joint (87th).
“I am infinitely grateful for the invitation” received from the organizers to play the singles, “and even more grateful that my daughters were able to see that it is never too late to pursue the things you love,” insisted the 44-year-old American, who did not appear at a press conference on Tuesday evening and was in principle exposed to a fine for this breach of her media obligations.
“I twisted a knee at the end of the first set, but I will do everything possible to be ready for the doubles tournament” which begins Thursday and which she must play with her sister Venus.
Earlier in the day, the All England Club (which organizes Wimbledon) had sent several media including AFP a press release from Serena Williams’ agent, Jill Smoller.
The text explained that due to her injury the American had been “exempted from her media obligations by the tournament and the medical teams” of the women’s circuit”, and thus suggested that she would not be financially sanctioned.
“She was able to leave the site Tuesday evening without assistance and is doing everything possible to be ready to play doubles later in the week,” added Jill Smoller.
According to the British daily “The Times”, Serena Williams is injured in her right knee.
She played her first singles match in nearly four years and her third-round loss at the 2022 US Open on Tuesday.
After Williams’ defeat, the tournament organization informed the media that it would “not be able” to fulfill its media obligations, without further details.
Some statements attributed to the winner of 23 Grand Slam tournaments were also relayed.
