The French Open
Injured partner leaves Venus stranded in doubles
An injury to partner Hailey Baptiste has left Venus Williams without a doubles partner, ending the 45-year-old’s return to Roland Garros.
Seven-times Grand Slam singles champion Williams, who lifted the team title in 2010 with sister Serena, had been set to compete with her US compatriot, aged 24.
Williams last played singles in Paris five years ago and played her last doubles that same year.
Baptiste was taken off court on Wednesday in a wheelchair with undetermined injuries to her left leg after trying for a leaping return falling awkwardly on the clay in the second round against China’s Xiyu Wang.
She screamed in pain as the match was ended, burying any chance of a doubles appearance for Williams.
Williams and sister Serena – each virtually retired – have both asked for wild cards on British grass this summer.
Thanks to sporadic singles play, Venus is ranked 459 while Serena is unofficially off of the ranking list past the 900 mark.
Main photo:- Hailey Baptiste landed awkwardly in second round match and was unable to continue