Mboko Withdraws After Knee Injury at Queen’s Club
Victoria Mboko was forced to retire from her singles match at the Queen’s Club tournament due to a knee injury sustained after a heavy fall. The incident occurred when Mboko slipped on the grass court during her match on Wednesday.
Williams’ Return Ends Prematurely
Serena Williams’ much-anticipated return to competitive tennis at age 44, following a four-year hiatus, was cut short as her doubles partner Mboko had to withdraw. Williams and Mboko had made a sensational comeback on Tuesday, defeating Nicole Melichar Martinez and Erin Routliffe 7-6(2), 6-2. They were scheduled to play Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund on Thursday afternoon.
Details of Mboko’s Injury
Mboko, seeded third at Queen’s Club, began her singles campaign a day after receiving a first-round bye. During her match against former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, Mboko lost the first set but had earned a break point in the second set. However, she suffered a severe fall after being wrong-footed and slipping on the grass. She immediately clutched her left knee and was compelled to retire from the match.
The courts at Queen’s Club are renowned for their high-quality grass surfaces, yet their slick nature during the early days of the tournament has caused similar injuries in the past. Male players have also experienced falls and injuries after losing footing on these courts.
Williams’ Upcoming Plans
Following this setback, Williams is set to compete in Berlin, where she has been granted a doubles wildcard. Additionally, she is expected to be among the doubles wildcard recipients at Wimbledon, with announcements anticipated next week.
Uncertain Future for Mboko
While Williams’ schedule is becoming clearer, the outlook for Mboko, regarded as one of the most promising young players on the tour, remains uncertain as she deals with the implications of her injury.
