Serena Williams has released a statement after her Wimbledon return did not go to plan15:57, 01 Jul 2026Serena Williams says she is doing "everything [she] can" to be fit to partner her older sister Venus in the doubles draw at Wimbledon. The tennis icon, 44, made her highly-anticipated return to singles competition for the first time in nearly four years on Tuesday evening, losing 6-3 6-7(6) 6-3 to Maya Joint on Centre Court.‌The 23-time Grand Slam winner did not appear at her post-match press conference, with a single quote from Williams issued to the media in her absence. It has since come to light, however, that the American sustained a knee injury during the match.‌This means she will avoid a fine of up to £37,000 for skipping post-match media duties, as players are permitted to do so in cases of illness or injury.‌JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook pageWilliams has now broken her silence on both her comeback and the injury suffered. "It felt so good to be back on the grass at @wimbledon. I'm incredibly thankful for the wild card - and even more grateful my daughters got to see that it's never too late to chase something you love," she wrote on Instagram on Wednesday."I tweaked my knee late in the first set, but I'll be doing everything I can to be ready for doubles with @venuswilliams. Congratulations to @maya.joint on a great match, and thank you to everyone who showed up and showed me so much love. That feeling will never get old."‌The women's doubles event begins on Thursday, though it is understood the Williams sisters would not take to the court until Friday, provided the 44-year-old is deemed fit to play. The siblings claimed the women's doubles title here on six occasions, with their most recent victory coming a decade ago.Williams appeared to limp towards the end of the first set against Joint, and from 3-3 in the opener, she lost five consecutive games. Yet, the former world No. 1 fought back from a break down twice in the second set, and held serve in a gripping, near-10-minute game at 5-5, saving four break points.Article continues belowAussie star Joint had a match point in the second-set tiebreak, but Williams rescued the situation with a powerful serve before unleashing a 122mph delivery to earn herself set point. She took it, forcing a decider, and led by an early break in the first set. However, the world No. 87 came storming back to take five of the last six games.When Williams skipped her post-match press conference on Tuesday evening, a statement was issued on her behalf, which read: "It was really great to be back at Wimbledon. I never expected to be here. The atmosphere was amazing. Walking out was amazing. I definitely relished it and missed it and enjoyed the moment more than anything."On Wednesday, Williams' agent, Jill Smoller, released a statement via the All England Club confirming the 23-time Grand Slam winner had hurt her knee. "Serena tweaked her right knee at the end of the first set and was therefore excused from her media obligations by the Wimbledon and WTA medical teams. She left site that night unaided and is doing everything she can to be ready for her doubles match later this week," she said.