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The American was playing Romania's Sorana
Cirstea on Court 17 on Thursday when she appeared to slip as she
approached the net at the beginning of the third set.
She fell awkwardly to the grass and, after a moment's silence,
screamed out in pain before repeatedly shouting "help me!" as
she clutched her right leg.
The 32-year-old was treated by doctors on the court for more
than 20 minutes, during which time she was given oxygen and an
injection, before she was taken to hospital.
"Bethanie is currently undergoing more scans this morning, and
we should know more within the next few hours," a statement from
the WTA women's tour said.
"Bethanie of course thanks everyone for their kind wishes and
messages of support."
Mattek-Sands, who suffered a serious ligament injury to the same
knee four years ago, has won five grand slam doubles titles with
Lucie Safarova and the pair would have held all four at the same
time had they clinched a sixth at Wimbledon.
Her Czech doubles partner was reduced to tears at courtside
during the incident and led a flood of messages of support for
Mattek-Sands on social media.
"I'm deeply hurt after seeing my best friend getting badly
injured today ... my thoughts are with her to have a speedy
recovery! She is the biggest fighter and one of the strongest
people I know! I hope to see that great smile on court again
soon!" Safarova wrote on Instagram.
Nine-times Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova wrote on
Twitter: "Am just devastated about Bethanie Mattek-Sands and her
injury today - we are all behind you, hoping for the best- lots
of love,m."
(Reporting by Alison Williams, editing by Nick Mulvenney)
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