Serena Williams' Reunion with Sister Venus Uncertain Amid Injury Concerns as Coach Criticizes Tennis Legend for Avoiding Fine

SERENA WILLIAMS’s Sister Act reunion with Venus is in doubt after she suffered a knee injury in her singles clash.

And her camp has hit back at claims that she is a sore loser – as she escaped a fine for skipping a mandatory press conference.

Serena Williams is facing a race against time to be fit for her doubles reunion with sister Venus Credit: AFP

The American, a seven-time singles champion, was in two hours and 22 minutes on Centre Court on Tuesday night.

Williams, 44, is due to play with elder sibling Venus, 46, on Friday in the first round of the women’s doubles competition.

She now faces a race against time to be fit for that clash as she waits to see how her body recovers following a two-hour, 22-minute first-round assignment against Joint.

In a statement provided by agent Jill Smoller, Williams’s body struggled with the intensity of the match and she hurt her knee.

IMG executive Smoller said: “Serena tweaked her 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.”

Players are expected to fulfil post-match media duties if a pre-match request has been lodged by journalists on site.

Stars can be fined up to $50,000 for violation of the ‘Media Opportunities’ section of the Grand Slam Rule Book.

Williams was beaten in three sets by Maya Joint and struggled with the intensity of the match Credit: Getty

Rules state that “unless unable to appear on reasonable grounds (for instance illness or injury), both winning and losing players or teams will be required to attend post-match media opportunities organised at an appropriate and reasonable time” following the conclusion of each match.

A statement issued on Tuesday night by the All England Club said: “Unfortunately will not be able to undertake media this evening.”

It is the words ‘will not be able to’ which are key here – if she had declined the duties, then she would have been liable for a fine.

Her coach Rennae Stubbs, 55, showed her frustration towards the online haters and doubters online, who felt she should have spoken to the press regardless.

Australia’s former doubles player world No.1 said: “The hate and lack of empathy in this world is astounding to me.

“Especially when you have no idea what you’re talking about. Just blows my mind.”

In a statement issued after the defeat, Williams said: “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.”