Serena Williams' doubles campaign at the Berlin Open did not last long after a straight-sets defeat in the opening round.

Partnered alongside Karolina Muchova, the pair lost 6-4 6-4 in 91 minutes to Giuliana Olmos and Erin Routliffe in Germany.

Williams and Muchova missed the chance to break ahead in the first set, squandering a break point in the sixth game, and they rued the error after losing their next service game.

They failed to convert another break point in the eighth game as Olmos and Routliffe took the first, while both pairs could not capitalise on break points in the first three games of the second.

Olmos and Routliffe eventually broke ahead again at 3-2, before securing victory with their first match point later on.

Williams suffers setback in Wimbledon preparations

Earlier on Tuesday, it was announced Williams received a wildcard to play doubles at Wimbledon alongside her sister, Venus.

6 - The #Williams sisters are the players with the most Ladies' Doubles titles won in Wimbledonas a pair in tennis history (six, level with Suzanne Lenglen and Elizabeth Ryan). Legends.#Wimbledon | @WTA @Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/ZJDb8UHU64

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) June 16, 2026

Serena Williams' return got off to a winning start with Victoria Mboko at Queen's last week, before the latter suffered a knee injury while playing singles.

The injury prematurely ended William's campaign at Queen's, and her preparations for Wimbledon have been done no favours after an early exit in Berlin.

Although there will be no expectations for the Williams sisters, who have won six doubles titles at SW19, to win Wimbledon, their desire to win will surely spur them on to make a strong run.