​​​​​​​​Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.​

Victoria Mboko's injury could spell trouble for Serena Williams' doubles campaign at Queen's Club after the Canadian teenager retired from her singles match against Karolina Pliskova on Wednesday. Mboko, who partnered Williams in the American legend's successful return to professional tennis, suffered a left knee injury during the second set of her HSBC Championships match in London. The injury raises doubts about whether the pair will be able to compete in their scheduled doubles quarter-final on Thursday.

Williams and Mboko had made an impressive start to their partnership on Tuesday, winning their opening doubles match in straight sets. The victory marked Williams' first professional appearance since the 2022 US Open and generated significant interest across the tennis world.

However, attention quickly shifted to Mboko's fitness after her singles contest against former world No.1 Pliskova ended prematurely.

Injury Forces Mboko to Retire

The incident occurred during the second set when Mboko slipped while attempting to chase down a shot behind the baseline. The 19 year old immediately grabbed her left knee and remained on the court as medical staff assessed the situation.

At the time of the injury, Mboko was trailing 6 to 2, 4 to 3 against Pliskova. The Canadian had created a break point opportunity and was attempting to stay in contention for a deciding set.

After receiving treatment, Mboko told the physiotherapist that there was "no stability right now" in the knee. Although she managed to get to her feet without assistance, it quickly became apparent that continuing the match would be difficult.

The world No.9 slowly made her way to the bench and appeared visibly emotional. After several minutes of evaluation, she made the decision to retire from the contest, handing victory to Pliskova.

Doubt Over Queen's Club Quarter Final

As of Wednesday evening, Williams and Mboko remained listed to play in Thursday's doubles quarter final against Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund. The match is scheduled as the final contest of the day at the HSBC Championships.

Whether the partnership takes to the court will depend entirely on the severity of Mboko's injury and her ability to recover in time. Knee injuries can vary significantly in seriousness, and neither the player nor tournament officials had released detailed information about the diagnosis immediately following the match.

For Williams, the uncertainty comes at an unfortunate moment. Her return to competitive tennis after nearly four years away had already become one of the major stories of the grass court season.

Serena's Return Generates Excitement

The former world No.1 had not competed professionally since the 2022 US Open. Her appearance at Queen's Club marked a highly anticipated comeback for one of the most successful players in tennis history.

At 44 years old, Williams showed encouraging signs in her opening doubles match alongside Mboko. The pair defeated third seeds Nicole Melichar Martinez and Erin Routliffe 7 to 6 (7 to 2), 6 to 2 in an impressive display.

The victory demonstrated that Williams remains capable of competing at a high level despite her lengthy absence from the sport. Her movement, serving and court awareness helped the duo overcome an experienced doubles team.

The performance also highlighted the potential of the partnership with Mboko, one of the brightest young talents on the women's tour.

Grass Court Plans Could Be Affected

Williams has already confirmed plans to continue her comeback at next week's Berlin Open, where she is also expected to compete in doubles.

The injury to Mboko raises questions about whether the pair will be able to continue their partnership beyond Queen's Club. Should the Canadian be forced to withdraw from future events, Williams may need to find an alternative partner for upcoming tournaments.

For Mboko, the timing is particularly disappointing. The Canadian has enjoyed a strong season and entered the grass court swing ranked among the top players in the world. An extended absence would interrupt important preparation ahead of Wimbledon.

Medical evaluations over the coming days will provide greater clarity on the extent of the injury and any potential recovery timeline.

Tournament Awaits Final Decision

Tournament organizers and fans will now wait for confirmation regarding Thursday's doubles quarter final. A withdrawal would bring an abrupt end to one of the most talked about partnerships at this year's event.

While Williams' return remains a major positive story for the sport, Mboko's health will understandably take priority. The Canadian's immediate concern will be determining the seriousness of the knee problem and ensuring a safe recovery.

Until further information becomes available, Williams and Mboko remain on the schedule, leaving open the possibility that the pair could still take the court together at Queen's Club. Whether that happens will depend on the outcome of medical assessments following a worrying injury scare for one of tennis' rising stars.