American Serena Williams suffered a setback in her first singles match at Wimbledon, her third Grand Slam after a year-long absence due to a hip injury.
Serena, 40, lost to France’s Armoni Tan 5-7, 6-1, 6-7 (7-10) in a marathon match that lasted 3 hours and 11 minutes.
Serena returned to competition for the first time last Tuesday at the English doubles tournament in Eastbourne alongside Tunisian Anas Jaber before they withdrew due to the latter’s injury ahead of the semi-finals.
Despite the result, this is why Serena Williams will go down in history as one of the greatest female athletes of all time.
There is nothing to prove, but at 40 he gave absolutely everything.
Incredible desire.
Phenomenal athlete.
Legend.
????#Wimbledon#Wimbledon2022#SerenaWilliams#harmonitan#BBCTennispic.twitter.com/AX2X8Hdaqt
— Karl Cunliffe (@KDCunliffe) June 28, 2022
The seven-time Wimbledon winner, whose absence from the courts saw her relegated to 1204 in the world rankings, was hoping to end the long wait for her 24th Grand Slam title to match the record held by Australian Margaret Court.
Serena has not played a professional singles match since pulling out of the first round at Wimbledon last year due to an injury during a match against Belarusian Alexandra Sasnovich.
Serena won her 23rd Grand Slam title after winning her seventh Australian Open in 2017 while pregnant.
She lost four Grand Slam finals at Flushing Meadows and Wimbledon in 2018 and 2019.
Source: AFP