Venus Williams’ mixed doubles campaign ends early as Serena comeback looms in women’s draw

Saturday, 04 July 2026 at 08:30

Venus Williams’ mixed doubles return at Wimbledon came to a swift end after she and partner Kevin Krawietz were eliminated in the opening round. The pair were beaten by seventh seeds Lloyd Glasspool and Tereza Mihalíková 6-4, 6-4, ending a short-lived campaign that had drawn attention due to Williams’ broader comeback schedule at the Championships.

The result adds another brief chapter to Williams’ evolving return to competition, with the American still balancing multiple draws during the tournament. At 46, the former World No. 1 continues to feature across formats, although results in mixed doubles have remained limited in recent appearances.

The loss also comes against the backdrop of wider family participation at Wimbledon, with Serena Williams also present at the event for doubles action alongside Venus in the women’s draw. That planned reunion remains one of the key remaining storylines of Williams’ week at the All England Club.

The mixed doubles campaign, however, ended before it could develop into a deeper run, as the American-German pairing struggled to contain the seeded opposition in their opening match.

“I was the second choice”: unusual path behind Venus partnership

Doubles world No. 12 Kevin Krawietz offered a detailed account of how the partnership with Williams was formed, describing a chain of events that ultimately led to him stepping in after his doubles partner initially declined. Speaking to ATPTour.com, he explained the sequence with humour, noting how the opportunity shifted between players before landing on him.

“I have to be honest. Her husband was asking Puetzy first, but he didn't want to play mixed here. We discussed it at dinner, actually. He [Puetz] said, ‘Look who asked me. Look who asked me’. Then I said, ‘Yeah, you have to do it’. But he said, ‘No, I don’t want to play because it might be too many matches’. Then I got a message the next day.”

Venus Williams is playing again at Wimbledon.

The 5-time Wimbledon singles champion & 6-time doubles champion is playing mixed doubles with Kevin Krawietz.

Hello, legend.

🇺🇸❤️ pic.twitter.com/GrvMtvJABk
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 3, 2026

Krawietz also admitted with a smile that the situation created a light sense of hierarchy within the decision-making process, joking that there might now be some “tension” over the order of selection.

“I think it's a great experience. At this age, it’s great that she's still playing at this level and wants to play and enjoy the sport. It’s great to have her and Serena back as it's showing they love the sport.”

Serena reunion remains key focus after mixed doubles exit

Attention now shifts to Venus Williams’ planned return to the court alongside Serena Williams in the women’s doubles event, a match scheduled against Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio. The reunion will come just days after Serena’s first singles appearance in nearly four years, a three-set defeat to Maya Joint.

Following that match, Serena confirmed she had experienced a minor knee issue but expressed optimism about being ready to compete alongside her sister. “I tweaked my knee late in the first set, but I’ll be doing everything I can to be ready for doubles with Venus.”

Read also

The Williams sisters last played doubles together at the 2022 US Open, where they were beaten in the opening round by Linda Nosková and Lucie Hradecká. Their Wimbledon return therefore represents both a competitive appearance and a symbolic reunion in the later stages of their careers.

Venus’ mixed doubles exit shortens her immediate schedule, but the focus now turns to whether the sisters can deliver a final notable chapter together on one of tennis’ biggest stages.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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