Missing the doubles would be a hugely-disappointing ending to Williams’ highly-anticipated return to the All England Club.
The American superstar has been the centre of the attention in SW19 over the past few days, with a high level of intrigue about why she was coming back and how she would look on court.
Williams played what she thought would be the final match of her career at the 2022 US Open, but tellingly refused to use the word ‘retirement’ and instead said she was “evolving away” from tennis.
After 1,462 days away from Wimbledon, she stepped back on to Centre Court on Tuesday.
At the place where she won her seven singles and six women’s doubles titles, Williams showed signs of her incomparable talent and could have earned a sensational win against 20-year-old Joint.
Joint held firm, though, to claim a 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 win.
However, Williams’ fight and determination as she looked to satisfy an insatiable appetite to beat opponents – having famously said she hates losing more than she loves winning – may have come at a bitter cost.
Sources have told BBC Sport that Williams injured her knee in the first set and, despite receiving advice not to continue, carried on playing as she pushed Joint all the way.
After the match, Williams’ knee was swollen and medical staff offered crutches to aid her walking – which she is said to have declined.
Williams has not yet ruled out being fit enough to play on Friday – but the indications would suggest that another emotional appearance on Centre Court with sister Venus is in serious peril.
