Wimbledon 2021: Tearful Williams forced out through injury

Serena Williams is out of Wimbledon in the first round after injury forced her to retire in the early stages of her match with Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

The American, who was seeking a historic 24th grand slam title at the return of an event she has won seven times, was tearful as she had to withdraw from the match.

Williams had broken Sasnovich and led 3-1, appearing to be in full control of Tuesday's contest on Centre Court.

But she suffered an ankle injury in the fifth game after seeming to slip while playing a forehand.

With her movement clearly limited, Sasnovich broke back and Williams left the court for treatment as she took a medical timeout.

She re-emerged to huge applause and bravely tried to continue but was visibly in severe discomfort.

The 39-year-old soon had to call a halt to proceedings with the match level at 3-3, having let out a scream of pain as she tried in vain to reach the ball.

There were few signs of trouble when Williams converted her fourth break point to move ahead.

But her continued involvement in the tournament looked doubtful from the moment her head slumped after sustaining the issue to her lower left leg.

Williams came back out from the locker room area limping and looked hampered when action resumed.

She cried and thanked the supportive crowd when she attempted to serve with the match at 3-3, but could barely put pressure on her leg.

After a handshake with Sasnovich, an emotional Williams waved to all corners of the crowd and then had to be helped off the court by a trainer.

"Of course I am so sad for Serena – she is a great champion," Sasnovich said. "This happens sometimes in tennis but all the best for her recovery."

Williams' friend Andy Murray called the scenes "brutal" and referenced court conditions that had also been a subject of debate for Novak Djokovic in his opening match.

He added on Twitter: "Centre court is extremely slippy. Not easy to move out there."

Data slam: Serena streak over

The desperately unfortunate injury for Serena means her perfect record of 19-0 in the first round at Wimbledon is now over.

She has a formidable record at the grass-court major, making the last two finals held in 2018 and 2019, losing both, having won the tournament in her two previous two appearances (2015 and 2016).

British fans will hope the sad scenes are not the last they see of Williams on the famous court.