Serena Williams eliminated in Berlin doubles debut, eyes Wimbledon wildcard

Serena Williams, 44, made her second tournament appearance since returning to professional tennis at the Berlin WTA 500 event. Partnering Czech player Karolina Muchova, the unseeded pair lost their opening‑round doubles match 6‑4, 6‑4 to New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe and Mexico’s Giuliana Olmos.

Williams had won her first match of the comeback at Queen’s Club in London a week earlier, but her partner there, Canadian Victoria Mboko, suffered a knee injury. After the Berlin loss, tournament officials announced that Williams and her older sister Venus will receive a doubles wild‑card for Wimbledon, which begins in late June. Williams said she felt “more agile, solid and fast” compared with her first Queen’s match.

The defeat ends her Berlin participation, while the upcoming Wimbledon entry marks her first Grand Slam appearance since the 2022 US Open.