Serena Williams’ bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles crown ended in tears at Wimbledon as an ankle injury forced her out of her first-round match with Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
The 39-year-old, who has seven Wimbledon singles titles on her glittering CV, had broken to lead 3-1 against her Belarusian opponent when she turned her left ankle badly.
Williams started against Belarusian world number 100 Sasnovich with heavy strapping on her right thigh and then slipped in the fifth game.
She limped toward her chair, was looked at by a trainer and left Centre Court during an injury timeout.
Williams, playing the whole match with her right thigh fully wrapped, returned and played one full game before retiring. Sasnovich won it.
Williams was in tears to start the next game on serve, dropped to the court on the third point and retired.
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.