Serena: If I fall, I sue

SERENA Williams threatened to sue yesterday after slipping on court when it started drizzling.

The umpire paused the game after the women’s world number one said: ‘If I get hurt, I’m suing.’

The drama unfolded as Miss Williams rushed towards the net to make a return and fell heavily on her backside, handing Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova a break-point to lead the first set 5-4.

After Miss Williams levelled the match, she asked chair umpire Marija Cicak to check the state of the grass. The 34-year-old could be heard saying: ‘I’m going to fall. Can’t they just close the roof?’

And as she turned away from Miss Cicak, the six-time Wimbledon champion said: ‘If I get hurt, I’m suing him’ – a threat presuma- bly aimed at tournament referee Andrew Jarrett.

Play was eventually paused while the Centre Court roof was closed. Miss Williams went on to beat Miss Kuznetsova, 31, in straight sets.

However she later told a press conference she had no intention of suing. The defending women’s singles champion said: ‘What I say on the court – it’s in the heat of the moment. I have no plans of suing Wimbledon. Let’s get serious. That’s not what I do.’

Her outburst comes after Frenchman Gilles Simon became angered on Thursday when asked to play in the rain. The 31-year-old – who lost to Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov – said he feared breaking his leg.