Serene Williams bowed out of Wimbledon in tears last night after an ankle injury forced her to retire just six games into her firstround match.
Wearing a layered, floaty skirt which almost resembled curtains, the US superstar was overcome with emotion as she limped off Centre Court to huge applause from a sympathetic crowd.
The shock blow came after she slipped and appeared to hurt her ankle when she was 3-1 up against Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus.
The six-time Wimbledon champion – who was vying for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title – appeared to glare at the turf before going off court for treatment.
Although she returned ten minutes later, the pain was evident on her face as she tried to serve.
And, despite her best efforts, she decided she could go no further with the score at 3-3.
Her opponent said: ‘I’m so sad for Serena. She is a great champion. It happens sometimes in tennis, but all the best to her.’