Serena Williams forced to withdraw from Wimbledon first round match due to injury

With Williams leading 3-1 in the first set, the 39-year-old American appeared to slip and injure herself on a comeback.

Williams left court for medical treatment. After his comeback, with the game now tied at 3-3, Williams relented midway through the baseline before cautiously leaving the field in tears, grateful to the fans on his departure.

“To feel the extraordinary warmth and support of the crowd today as I walked on – and off – the pitch meant the world to me,” added Williams, who was aiming to win a 24th Grand Slam title, a record at equality.

This forfeit marks his first defeat in the first round at Wimbledon.

“Brutal for @serenawilliams but the center court is extremely slippery there. Not easy to move there,” tweeted British tennis star Andy Murray.

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“I’m so sad for Serena”

Williams was aiming for a tied 24th Grand Slam title, and the forfeit marks his first first-round loss at Wimbledon.

Before Tuesday, the American tennis star was 19-0 in the first round matches of the famous tournament.

“It was such a good atmosphere here, my first time on center court,” Belarusian Sasnovich said on court after the match, according to the Wimbledon website.

“Thanks everyone, but I’m so sad for Serena. She’s a great champion, but it happens sometimes in tennis. I wish her all the best and a well.

“I love the grass, I love England, I love the English, the crowd,” added Sasnovich, 27. “I’ll do my best for sure. I’ll try to make you happy.”