‘Not fun’: Venus Williams fails to turn back time on day one at Wimbledon
The Guardian says Venus Williams was given a hero’s welcome on her return to Wimbledon on Monday, but the 43-year-old could not turn back time and went out of the competition in the first round.
The five-times Wimbledon singles title winner, who has battled injuries in recent years and entered the tournament as a wild card, was defeated by the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in two sets after falling and picking up an injury in the first set.
In an emotional post-match press conference said she was shocked by the outcome, as she had been on good form before and during the game.
“Yeah, it’s not fun right now,” she said. “I felt like I was in great form coming into this tournament, and great form in the match. It’s all very shocking at the moment.”
But reflecting on a career that has spanned almost three decades, Williams said she wouldn’t change a thing. “I think it happened all the way it was supposed to,” she said. “I won my first match. Once I started playing on tour, I went on to the top. I don’t think it could have been better.