Full Breakdown
Serena Williams Plans US Open Return After Wimbledon Knee Setback
7/8/2026, 4:39:12 AM
Wimbledon Return and Knee Injury
Serena Williams, 44, entered Wimbledon with a wildcard for the women’s singles, her first Grand Slam singles appearance since 2022. She lost in three sets to Australia’s Maya Joint, during which she suffered a right-knee injury that caused fluid buildup. Williams posted images of syringes containing the drained fluid and withdrew from the scheduled doubles match with sister Venus.
Background & Recent Form
Williams is a 23-time Grand Slam champion with 13 major singles titles on hard courts, including six US Open crowns. After a four-year hiatus she resumed practice at former doubles champion Bob Bryan’s Florida club, where she strung 12 rackets and played practice sets against active tour players. Her Wimbledon preparation consisted of two doubles matches and limited singles work, and she recorded serves exceeding 120 mph in practice.
Timeline of Key Developments
- Early July: Practices at Bryan’s club, strings 12 rackets, plays practice sets.
- July 6: Wimbledon first-round loss to Maya Joint; knee injury occurs.
- July 7: Withdraws from doubles with Venus.
- July 8–9: Posts Instagram images of four syringes of knee fluid.
- July 10: Coach Rennae Stubbs discusses US Open preparation in press.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Rennae Stubbs said Williams intends to keep competing and that any pre-US Open event will depend on her physical condition. Stubbs highlighted that hard courts should give Williams greater stability and that restoring her body to optimal shape is essential. Former doubles champion Bob Bryan noted that Williams was actively stringing rackets and was playing well in practice. After her Wimbledon loss, Williams told fans to stay alert for future updates.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Stubbs said Williams wants to play a singles tournament before the US Open, yet also noted she “doesn’t want to do what she did here, which was just play singles, at the US Open.” Sources do not clarify whether she plans to enter doubles at the US Open or which warm-up event she may choose.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Her intention is to keep playing; the US Open as well,” — Rennae Stubbs, coach
- “is stay tuned to a city near you.” — Serena Williams, player
- “Leading up to the tournament, she was playing practice sets [and] beating players that are still in the tournament.” — Rennae Stubbs, coach
- “Getting on the hard court will be a lot more stable for her. And we all know how well she plays on hard court. So it’s just a matter of getting her body back into the shape she wants. And then we’ll see.” — Rennae Stubbs, coach
What’s Next
The National Bank Open in Toronto (WTA 1000) starts 2 August, followed by a WTA 500 event in Washington on 27 July and the Cincinnati Open (WTA 1000) on 13 August. The US Open begins 30 August. Williams’ participation in any of these tournaments will depend on her knee recovery and her decision to compete before the season-ending major.
