To everyone’s surprise, Serena Williams came out the back door in the first round of the Wimbledon tournament after being forced to retire against Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich (3-3 ab) on Tuesday, June 29. The 39-year-old American injured her knee losing her balance and burst into tears as she forfeited.
“I was heartbroken to have to give up today [mardi] after injuring my right leg “, loose the American in a first reaction posted on social networks.
“My love and gratitude goes out to the fans and the team who make being on Center Court so special. To feel the tremendous warmth and support from the home crowd today when I stepped onto the court and when I left it touched me immensely. “
The quest for a 24e Grand Slam title to tie Margaret Court’s record came to a halt abruptly and painfully for Williams.
The second abandonment of his career
The American, who turns 40 in September, threw in the towel at 3-3 in the first set against Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich (100e) and walked off the court crying and limping.
Already, at 3-2 for her, she had left the field and came back with her right thigh wrapped in a huge bandage. She then prepared to serve, but the tears prevented her from doing so. Seeing his distress, the audience tried to encourage him, to no avail. Williams had another three points on his face-off before retiring.
She left the stadium immediately after her abandonment, without going to a press conference to explain her situation.
In her long career, Serena Williams had so far only given up once in the middle of a match in a Grand Slam tournament, in the third round already at Wimbledon, in 1998.