
Serena Williams was forced to retire from the first-round match at the All England Club vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich following an injury.
Serena Williams retires with injury from her Round 1 match at #Wimbledon
Get well soon, Serena. 💔pic.twitter.com/Y9ex4N8L3P
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) June 29, 2021
Seven-time Wimbledon champion, Williams was in tears after she fell again serving 3-3, following her return from receiving medical treatment in the first set where she was leading 3-1. This forced her to retire with an injury and she left the court in tears waving to the crowd acknowledging the fans that she is departing. It was her second time in her career that she had to withdraw from a major match.
“I was heartbroken to have to withdraw today after injuring my right leg. My love and gratitude are with the fans and the team who make being on centre court so meaningful. Feeling the extraordinary warmth and support of the crowd today when I walked on – and off – the court meant the world to me,” said Williams via her instagram post.
The forfeit marked her first ever first-round loss at the Wimbledon tournament.
British tennis star Andy Murray tweeted for the former world number 1 and said, “Brutal for Serena Williams but centre court is extremely slippy out there. Not easy to move out there.”
Brutal for @serenawilliams but centre court is extremely slippy out there. Not easy to move out there.
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) June 29, 2021
Two days back, 23 times Grand Slam singles title winner, American star had said that she will not play at this summer’s Olympics.