Serena Williams limps out of Wimbledon
AMERICAN great Serena Williams broke down in tears as her latest attempt for an elusive record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title was cruelly ended by injury.
Williams started against Belarusian world number 100 Aliaksandra Sasnovich with heavy strapping on her right thigh and then slipped in the fifth game.
The 39-year-old went down again in the seventh game and then retired after struggling to get to her feet.
“I’m so sad for Serena. She is a great champion,” said Sasnovich.
“It happens sometimes in tennis, but all the best to her.”
Williams, seeded sixth, seemed to do the damage when she rocked backwards on the baseline before unleashing a forehand back to her opponent.
After going off court for treatment, she returned with a heavy limp and tried to continue before it soon became apparent she would be unable to.
Tears filled her eyes as Williams thanked the crowd, who had been trying to encourage her, for their support.
The retirement came less than an hour after Centre Court watched France’s Adrian Mannarino also have to retire from his match against Roger Federer.
The match was poised at 6-4 6-7(3) 3-6 6-2 with the eight-times Wimbledon champion forcing a fifth set before Mannarino, who was celebrating his 33rd birthday, decided he could not continue.
Federer was serving with a 4-2 lead in the fourth set when the 41st-ranked Mannarino slipped while attempting a return and twisted his right knee.