Serena Williams’ Queen’s doubles campaign ended abruptly Thursday after her 19-year-old partner Victoria Mboko suffered a left knee injury during her singles match, forcing her to retire from the tournament. The withdrawal leaves Williams’ comeback as a singles contender in doubt just weeks before Wimbledon, while also raising fresh questions about the ethical boundaries of GLP-1 drugs in professional sports.
An injury that upends Williams’ grass-court plans
Mboko’s retirement came after a dramatic collapse in her opening-round singles match against Karolina Pliskova, where she fell clutching her knee during a 6-2, 3-4 deficit. The BBC reported that she limped off the court in tears, later stating “there is no stability right now” to medical staff. The injury forced her to withdraw from both her scheduled singles match and the doubles quarterfinal with Williams, who had just returned to competition after a 1,375-day absence.
The setback leaves Williams’ doubles partnership in limbo. She and Mboko had been scheduled to face Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund in the quarterfinals, but the Canadian’s injury now advances the German pair directly to the semifinals. Williams’ singles ambitions remain unclear—she has not yet announced plans to compete beyond doubles, though her return to the court has reignited speculation about her potential to challenge for a record eighth Wimbledon title.
GLP-1s and the looming doping debate
Williams’ return coincides with a growing controversy over GLP-1 drugs like Zepbound and semaglutide, which she has publicly acknowledged using to manage her weight. The New York Times revealed last summer that Williams had turned to the medication after struggling with post-pregnancy weight gain, stating in an interview, “…I couldn’t beat the weight. It was the one opponent I couldn’t beat.”
The drugs, which suppress appetite and promote weight loss, have been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) monitoring program since 2024. While not currently banned, their use in sports is under intense scrutiny. WADA spokesperson told the Times that “semaglutide and tirzepatide were added to the Monitoring Program to track patterns of use in sports in and out of competition.” The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which governs tennis anti-doping, has not yet classified them as prohibited substances, but the debate is accelerating.
For more on this story, see Serena Williams’ Epic Comeback: 44-Year-Old Tennis Legend Dominates Queen’s with Historic Doubles Victory.
Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Zepbound (tirzepatide), reiterated its stance in a statement: “Zepbound and Foundayo (orforglipron) are indicated for use, along with diet and exercise, for adults with obesity or overweight and a weight-related comorbidity. Lilly does not promote or encourage use of any Lilly medicine outside of its FDA-approved indication.” The company’s position contrasts with Williams’ public advocacy for the drugs, which she has promoted through her affiliation with telehealth platform Ro—where her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, is a major investor.
What Mboko’s injury means for Williams’ future
Mboko’s injury creates an immediate logistical challenge for Williams, who had paired with the rising Canadian star as a potential bridge to a singles return. The Guardian noted that Mboko’s withdrawal leaves Williams without a confirmed partner for the remainder of the tournament. While she could partner with other players, including her former doubles teammate Venus Williams, the lack of a clear plan raises questions about her focus heading into Wimbledon.
This follows our earlier report, Serena Williams Returns to Professional Tennis: A Stunning Comeback at 44.
Williams’ comeback has already disrupted the tennis world. Her win with Mboko over third seeds Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez sent shockwaves through the sport, proving she retains her signature power and precision despite her four-year hiatus. Yet her use of GLP-1s adds a complicating layer. While the drugs are not banned, their growing presence in professional sports—particularly among athletes seeking weight advantages—could force anti-doping agencies to act sooner rather than later.
The GLP-1 dilemma: Performance enhancement or medical necessity?
The ethical and regulatory questions surrounding GLP-1s extend beyond tennis. The Times highlighted that Charles Barkley, another high-profile advocate for the drugs, has also promoted them through his partnership with Ro. Barkley’s public stance—coupled with Williams’ return to competition—has intensified pressure on WADA to clarify its position. The agency’s monitoring program suggests it is taking the issue seriously, but a formal ban could take years.
Read also: Serena Williams’ Comeback at 44: Why She Returned to Tennis and the Role of Weight-Loss Drugs.
For now, the focus remains on Mboko’s recovery and Williams’ next steps. If she chooses to compete in singles at Wimbledon, she will do so under the shadow of her GLP-1 use—a debate that could reshape how athletes approach weight management in the future. The injury to her partner, meanwhile, serves as a stark reminder of the physical risks even the most dominant athletes face when returning from extended absences.
What happens next?
Williams has not yet announced whether she will compete in singles at Wimbledon, though her performance at Queen’s suggests she is far from finished. The next few weeks will be critical: her decision to return to singles, Mboko’s recovery timeline, and WADA’s potential next steps on GLP-1s will all shape the coming season. For tennis, the immediate question is whether Williams can replicate her doubles success in singles—or if her comeback will be cut short by injury, ethical debates, or both.
The story is far from over. Williams’ return has already forced the sport to confront uncomfortable questions about modern performance enhancement. And with Mboko’s injury adding an element of unpredictability, the next chapter in her career may hinge on more than just her tennis skills.
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