LONDON, July 3 (U.S.): As Venus Williams entered Center Court for her 24th appearance at Wimbledon at the age of 43, she was greeted with a standing ovation, holding a green bow tie above her head with both hands and stretching it as she stepped into her side bench.
Once she got underway in her first round match against Elina Svitolina, Williams played as a rebound version of herself. Those great services. Those crisp strokes. Quickly, it was a point from a 3-0 lead on Monday.
Then, Williams stepped forward to attempt a volley, which slid onto the green. Her right foot slipped. collapsed to the ground. She screamed and grabbed her right knee, which was already covered in Beige’s sleeve, reports the AP.
The Williams coach was treated twice, including having their knee tied during a medical period after the first set, and although the American continued to play, she could not beat Svitolina, who qualified for the 2019 Wimbledon semi-finals in defeat 6-4, 6-3 .
Williams was the oldest player in the field of the year and the fourth oldest to compete in the main draw at Wimbledon. Svitolina was just 2 when Williams made her Wimbledon debut in 1997 and only 5 when Williams first won the event in 2000.
She would go on to claim titles at the All England Club in 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008 as well, along with a pair of US Open Cups in singles as well as 14 in women’s doubles with her younger sister, Serena, who retired after another season.
insignificant
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