Serena Slips On Court In Opener, Bids Tearful Adieu

Serena Williams bid a tearful goodbye to centre Court on Tuesday. She took in the sights before waving to the house that was on its feet applauding their seven-time champion. The American was forced to retire hurt from The Championships midway through the opening set (3-3) of her first-round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

- Prajwal.Hegde

Serena was heartbroken. In a statement, the American said, “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.”

While questions of whether Tuesday evening’s outing was the 39-year-old’s last at SW19 was widely debated, the subject of Centre Court being too slippery raged across platforms.