Canadian tennis player Victoria Mboko has been forced to withdraw from the doubles event at the Queen's Club Championships in London after suffering a knee injury. Mboko, who was partnering with Serena Williams, pulled out following a fall during her singles match on Tuesday.
Injury Details
The 19-year-old from Mississauga, Ontario, slipped on the grass court during her first-round singles match against China's Wang Xiyu. Mboko received medical treatment but was unable to continue, retiring from the match while trailing 6-2, 3-0. Subsequent evaluation revealed a knee injury that also prevented her from competing in the doubles draw.
Impact on Doubles
Mboko and Williams were scheduled to face Erin Routliffe of New Zealand and Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States in the first round. The American star Williams will now seek a new partner or withdraw from the doubles event entirely.
Mboko, ranked 68th in singles and 45th in doubles, had been looking forward to partnering with the 23-time Grand Slam champion. 'It's disappointing to have to pull out, especially playing alongside Serena,' Mboko said in a statement. 'I hope to recover quickly and get back on court soon.'
Career Context
This setback comes during a breakthrough season for Mboko, who reached her first WTA final in January in Hobart. She has shown promise on grass, reaching the third round at Wimbledon last year. The injury will likely sideline her for several weeks, potentially affecting her preparation for the upcoming major at the All England Club.
The Queen's Club tournament continues with Williams now focusing on her singles campaign, where she is seeded fifth.
