Serena Williams was forced to retire from her first-round match against Belarusian tennis star Aliaksandra Sasnovich on Tuesday after picking up a right leg injury in the first set, according to CNN.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion appeared to slip and hurt herself during a return while leading 3-1 in the first set.
The 39-year-old left the court to seek medical attention. After returning, she buckled at the baseline midpoint before walking off the court in tears, acknowledging the fans as she departed, per the news outlet.
In an Instagram post, Williams said, “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,” she added.
Williams was aiming to win a record-tying 24th grand-slam title. The exit marks her first-ever first-round loss at Wimbledon.
The American tennis star had a 19-0 record in first-round matches at the famed tournament.
British tennis star Andy Murray tweeted, “Brutal for @serenawilliams but centre court is extremely slippy out there. Not easy to move out there.”
Sasnovich said on court after the match, “It was such a nice atmosphere here, my first time on Centre Court,” according to the Wimbledon website.
“Thank you everyone, but I am so sad for Serena,” she continued. “She’s a great champion, but this happens sometimes in tennis. I wish all the best for her, and a good recovery.”
Sasnovich added, “I like grass, I love England, I love English people, the public. I will do my best for sure. I will try to make you happy.”
American tennis player Cori ‘Coco’ Gauff said, “Yeah, it was not easy to watch. Actually I turned away. I was in the gym actually stretching. I turned away because stuff like that makes me … really emotional.”
“I mean, I wish [Serena] the best. I wish that hopefully she can have a speedy recovery,” she added. “Yeah, you could tell she was really emotional.”
“Nobody ever wants to retire, but especially at a Grand Slam, a place as special as Wimbledon after waiting two years to come back,” she added. The only thing I can do is wish her well wishes and hope she’ll be back in time for the hard court season.”
