SERENA WILLIAMS WAS unable to summon the old magic as her Wimbledon return ended in a first-round defeat to little-known Frenchwoman Harmony Tan.
Stepping out on court to play singles for the first time since leaving Centre Court prematurely and in tears after suffering a hamstring injury in the opening round 12 months ago, Williams was rusty and error-prone.
The will remained and, cheered on by a supportive crowd, she looked like she might stumble over the finish line after coming from a set down and then saving a match point in the 12th game of the decider.
But instead Williams suffered just her third first-round loss at a grand slam, going down 7-5 1-6 7-6 (7) in a deciding tie-break at 10.35pm after three hours and 10 minutes in what could well be her Wimbledon farewell.
Tan, a 24-year-old debutante ranked 115, is the type of player Williams used to beat before even stepping on court but no one, including probably the 40-year-old herself, knew what to expect here.
Williams was rusty in the extreme in the first two games, her footwork leaden and her ball-striking wayward, but she gradually began to find some rhythm.
The American was particularly vocal, shrieking at every winner and error, and it worked as she moved into a 4-2 lead.
But the main question mark was always going to be around Williams’ fitness and she was puffing hard as Tan eventually broke back after a long service game.
The Frenchwoman could not hope to match her opponent for power but had considerable success with deft drop shots and lobs and looked to be enjoying herself as she moved into a 6-5 lead.
Williams had a chance to draw level and force a tie-break but looked anxious and was unable to convert as Tan moved ahead.
With darkness closing in, a brief pause for the roof to be closed worked in Williams’ favour. She cut out some of the errors, and the shrieking, and set about retrieving the deficit, breaking Tan in the second game of the set after a remarkable run of 12 deuces.
When Williams, who won the last of her seven singles titles here in 2016, moved 3-1 ahead in the deciding set, it appeared the hard part was behind her.
But two doubles matches in Eastbourne last week were scant preparation for a return to grand slam singles and things became complicated once again.
It's always a pleasure, @serenawilliams #Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/ALkCMy1sFD
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2022
Williams began to show her emotions once more, leaping to celebrate the good moments and waving her arms in despair at the bad.
She slid deeper into trouble after failing to serve out the match at 5-4 but put away a drive volley to save a match point at 5-6 and force a deciding first-to-10-points tie-break.
Williams moved into a 4-0 lead but, on the stage where she has triumphed on so many occasions, this time there was not to be a happy ending.
That report doesn’t do justice to how well Tan played, nevermind her resilience. She hit some fantastic shots, especially in the last few games. I only caught the last set but it was gripping viewing. Well done to Tan.
@Cian Nolan: Did what she was allowed do by an ageing opponent who was clearly struggling physically. As the saying goes “time & tidy wait for no man” or woman.
Time for the great lady to retire.
@TL55: True but Tan is 115th in the world. Serena was still making some incredible shots and had the crowd behind her. I just think the report could have given her skill and resilience some credit. I imagine Serena will retire after the US Open.
@Cian Nolan: in fairness to both, Tan is as average a player as they come, Quality of the match was very poor, yes Tan hit some great shots but Serena looked cooked which made Tan look better than she is
Never fall in love with a tennis player. To them,love means nothing.
@Larry Betts: you’d be set up nicely though surely Larr?!
@Joe Kennedy: As long as I don’t cross the line by getting a few backhanders,I aim to make a net profit
Tan won despite a highly partizan English crowd and a bunch of fawning BBC commentators who ignored Tan. Great win for Tan and I’m happy Williams is gone for another year.
Almost definitely the GOAT of Women’s Tennis but, in my opinion, it’s time now to call it a day. No point in tarnishing her legacy and her greatness by losing to also rans who couldn’t tie her laces in her pomp. It’d be a shame if some younger fans only saw her this way. Go out at the top, Serena. You’ve been amazing!
@Rory O’Connor: Court won more majors 24 to 23 and by that metric is the goat
Great news