The comeback dream of Serena Williams was handed a fatal blow with teenaged partner Victoria Mboko pulling up lame after a fall in singles which forced her retirement.

The Canadian went down with a knee injury, which rules her out as the Wimbledon run-up tightens. 

The doubles flop left the 44-year-old out of commission this week in a rain-hit Queen’s club.

The veteran who played her previous last Tour match in 2022, is now only able to look forward to another doubles go next week in Berlin, reportedly alongside Czech Karolina Muchova..

Williams was “retired” during the period in which the London club venue was added to the WTA calendar, 

She and Mboko won their opening doubles match on Tuesday but were unable to progress further due to the circumstances.

 The Williams pairing was to have played Canadian Leylah Fernandez and German Laura Siegemund in the second round with the Canadian/German team reaching the semi-finals, 

Mother of two Williams, winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles, has hinted all week that she is not considering a run in singles.

“Every tournament I add to my schedule right now feels special, and Berlin is no exception,” she said.

“I’m excited to compete in front of the German fans and continue building momentum throughout the grass-court season.”

Wimbledon doubles also remains a question mark: “It’s just a day at a time. I still have a little time to decide, and they have been great about giving me that space and time to ⁠decide.”

Main photo:- Serena Williams in action in the first round at Queens – by Mark Greenwood/ISF Ltd

Serena Williams began her doubles comeback on a high note as the 44-year-old and teenaged partner Victoria Mboko reached the second round at Queen’s Club on Tuesday.

The one-off combination defeated Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe 7-6 (2) 6-2 in a stunning display by the 23-time Grand Slam singles winner Williams who had not played a professional match for almost four years.

The veteran never announced a retirement at the time, instead drifting into the millionaire celebrity lifestyle of fashion shows, sponsor appearances and VIP invitations.

Williams was watched at Queen’s by her two daughters 1,375 days after her last Tour match, a third-round loss to Ajla Tomljanovic at the US Open.

 Williams delivered an ace to set up a pair of match points.

The ad hoc Williams-Mboko pairing broke three times in the 92-minute victory  while dropping serve only once.

 “It was so fun. I had so much fun playing with Victoria. She was really able to hold up the team and play big on the big points. I could rely on her. We have never played together but it felt so natural.

“I don’t know. I had nothing better to do, I got tired of sitting at home. My kids are out of school for the summer, so why not?

“I never got to play here, it was always just the men. It feels really special to play somewhere so iconic.”

As she made the decision for a doubles return, Williams – pledging all to secrecy – flew in a hitting partner, with the 19-year-old Mboko coming aboard only three weeks ago.

Main photo:- Serena Williams smashes – by Mark Greenwood/International Sports Fotos Ltd

Emma Raducanu won her first match since March on Tuesday, stepping onto the home grass with a victory to reach the second round at Queens club.

The former Grand Slam champion was joined by compatriot Katie Boulter, who went through a sleepless night on Monday, trailing Leylah Fernandez, but coming back on Tuesday to fight back for a 3-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5 defeat of the Canadian, a US Open runner-up to Raducanu in 2021.

Raducanu defeated Anna Blinkova 6-0, 6-3 to boost her morale after another period of poor results, injuries and illness.

The Briton swept the first eight games against qualifier Blinkova to regain her groove on her surface of choice.

“I’m so happy to have come through that match. To be back here playing at Queen’s… I haven’t actually won a match for a few months,” she said.

“There isn’t a place I would rather have done it. I’m really grateful for all the support.

“I’m doing the best I can each day. Being part of the atmosphere is something that I really enjoy – I don’t see it as added pressure, I really thrive off it. I’m just happy to be back.”

The 42nd-ranked Brit had only two matches on clay and was able to escape to Britain for grass practice after a first-round defeat at Roland Garros.

The 2025 quarter-finalist escaped after four straight service breaks in the second set and went on to serve out victory on her second match point.

Boulter and Fernandez returned to the grass on Tuesday after wet conditions forced a halt the night before with the Canadian ahead 6-3, 3-all..

Boulter was broken to start the resumption but fought through the third set after losing a 4-2 lead.

The No. 73 served an ace to break her opponent for a 5-3 lead and advanced a game later on her first chance against the eighth seed.

“Thank god the clay is over,” the winner said. “I’m pleased with how I came back in this match, I was a step slow yesterday.

“It’s tough to sleep with an unfinished match, but I got a few hours. I managed to play some good stuff at the end.

“I’m very happy to be in the second round. Emma did a good job (with her win) I just tried to keep up the momentum.

“I struggle on the clay but now I’m at home on the grass and grateful to have another year.”

Photos:- Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter winning at Queens by Mark Greenwood/ISF Ltd