Serena Williams' Wimbledon journey ends with injury
Serena Williams of the U.S. reacts after sustaining an injury during her first round match against Belarus' Aliaksandra Sasnovich at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, Britain, June 29, 2021 (Reuters Photo)


Serena Williams’ 20th Wimbledon ended abruptly after she hurt herself during a match.

Williams retired in the first set after her leg was injured in an opening-round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus.

Williams slipped on the grass while hitting a forehand in the fifth game. She winced and began to walk gingerly, and after losing that game went to the locker room.

She returned to continue, but with the score 3-all, her leg buckled during a rally and she crumpled to the court. Williams rose and cried as she walked to the net to concede.

A seven-time Wimbledon champion, Williams was again seeking a record-tying 24th major title. Her most recent came in early 2017.

At 39, Williams was still among the tournament favorites. She was the runner-up in 2018 and 2019, and Wimbledon was canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.