Serena Williams, the tennis legend, tearfully exited Wimbledon on Tuesday due to an ankle injury that led to her retiring early in a first-round match against unseeded Belarussian player Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

The American sixth seed, a seven-time champion aiming to match the record for 24 Grand Slam singles titles, displayed signs of discomfort early in the first set on the slick Centre Court surface. She left the court for treatment while leading 3-2. After a prolonged break, Williams returned, but her anguish was apparent as she grimaced and wiped away tears, especially when preparing to serve at 3-3 following Sasnovich’s equalizer. Despite being ahead 3-1 before the injury, the 39-year-old collapsed onto the grass in tears before being assisted off the court.

Sasnovich, who practised her serve while Williams was getting treatment, commiserated with an opponent who had never gone out in the first round at Wimbledon in her previous 19 visits.

“I’m so sad for Serena, she’s a great champion,” said the world number 100. “It happens sometimes.”

Eight-time men’s singles champion Roger Federer expressed surprise at Williams’ departure and voiced apprehension about the surface conditions, especially with the roof closed on Centre Court during a rainy afternoon. His first-round opponent, Adrian Mannarino of France, also retired due to a knee injury following a slip. Federer noted that the surface might feel slightly more slippery under the roof, although he acknowledged it could be a subjective perception.

He emphasized the need for cautious movement, highlighting the risk of slipping if players exert too much force at the wrong times. Federer empathized with his fellow competitors, emphasizing the importance of navigating through the initial rounds when the grass tends to be more slippery and softer. He observed that as the tournament progresses, the grass typically becomes firmer, making movement easier.