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The squash shot may be a last-resort play, but it’s fun to unleash and spectacular to watch. Federer made it his own, but many other players, especially women, are adopting it.WIMBLEDON, England — “Times have changed,” Roger Federer said this week as he looked back on his early days at Wimbledon. More
There were strawberries, Champagne and a duchess buoying the mood at Centre Court, until Britain’s beloved son suffered his worst career defeat at the All England Club.WIMBLEDON, England — After a year that saw Wimbledon canceled for the first time since World War II, the brief interruption on Centre Court on Friday afternoon was relatively sparkling. More
The unseeded player representing Kazakhstan would rather hone his game during Wimbledon matches than overwork his shoulder with practice serves. Whatever works.WIMBLEDON, England — Grigor Dimitrov said he had come to Wimbledon, where he reached the semifinals in 2014, “with great hopes just to play some more matches just to get myself a little bit of a rhythm.” More
Barty, the top women’s seed at Wimbledon, asked her apparel sponsor to design an outfit that paid tribute to Evonne Goolagong Cawley, the first Indigenous Australian woman to win the tournament.WIMBLEDON, England — As the top-seeded Ashleigh Barty looked forward to Wimbledon this year, she also looked back half a century. To another Indigenous woman from Australia. To a groundbreaking Wimbledon title. And, ultimately, to a hemline. More
A straight-sets victory over Richard Gasquet on Thursday showed the eight-time champion at ease with whatever the tournament brings. And in the moment, anything feels possible.WIMBLEDON, England — Wimbledon runs on nostalgia, from the grass courts and the all-white clothing rule to the neckties in the clubhouse. More
He hadn’t competed since the Australian Open, and hadn’t left his country since March 2020, but he impressed in a tireless five-set victory that stretched over two days.WIMBLEDON, England — Getting Nick Kyrgios out of semi-sabbatical and on a plane out of Australia took something special. More
Slippery grass caused tournament-ending injuries in back-to-back matches, and many stars lost their footing during the first two days of the tournament.WIMBLEDON, England — Matches continued on Centre Court at Wimbledon as rain fell outside on the first two days of the tournament that showcases top stars in an arena considered a cathedral of the sport before thousands of fans. More
BORIS BECKER fears slipping Serena Williams may have played her last match at Wimbledon.The tennis superstar, 39, was forced to retire in the first set of her first-round clash on Tuesday night after injuring her ankle on the slippery Centre Court grass.
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Serena Williams was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon through injury with Boris Becker fearful she’ll never returnCredit: PA
Three-time Wimbledon singles champions Becker reckons Williams may never play at SW19 againCredit: AFP
Williams was one of several stars who lost their footing on the surface and Wimbledon chiefs blamed the wet weather for the grounded aces.
German Becker, 53, the three-time singles winner now fears we may have seen the 23-time Grand Slam champion at SW19 for the last time.
He claimed: “It’s the last thing that a champion like Serena wants to do – leave her favourite courts with a walkover.
“She can barely walk straight. We’ve got to get used to the fact that this might be the last time.
“She is past 30. It’s another year of coming back, injuries, wear-and-tear, she also had an injury at the French Open.
“It is sad to see but time waits for no man or woman.
“The courts seem to be a little bit slippery this year, a number of players have been complaining.
“Her left ankle went one way, her right leg went sideways.
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“She must have strained whatever injury she already had.
“Unfortunately she had to quit.”
On Tuesday evening, Williams’ left ankle gave way as she tried to hit a return in just the fifth game against Belarusian opponent Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
The American left the court for treatment and tried to continue on her return, despite looking visibly upset.
She fell to the turf again at 3-3, crying out in pain and was forced to concede the match – helped off the court by medics.
It ended her chances of finally winning a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title – at least at SW19 this year.
The world No8 has been stuck on 23 since winning the Australian Open in 2017 and has lost the last two Wimbledon finals as she aims to draw level with Margaret Court.
Williams slipped on the grass on Centre Court and badly hurt her ankle on Tuesday eveningCredit: The Mega Agency
Tim Henman, a former Wimbledon darling and now on the Wimbledon board, defended his bosses and said the grass is always ‘lush’ at the start of the two-week Championships.
Henman said: “In 13 years the preparation of the courts has been absolutely identical.
“There’s no doubt the one thing that has been different this year is the weather in the lead up to the tournament, we had a very damp practice week.
“The court and the plant doesn’t have the chance to dry out. Add that the roof has been closed for the first two days and that is why you are going to see some slipping and sliding.
“Early in the tournament the court is at its most lush and it can be a bit challenging moving.
“From the club point of view they wanted to check the humidity levels on centre court and number one with the roof closed and the humidity levels were lower – and that’s because we aren’t at full capacity.
“We don’t want to see injuries. The ground staff are meticulous in their preparation of the courts and nothing has changed.”
Serena Williams QUITS Wimbledon in tears as ankle injury forces first-set withdrawal with medics helping her leave court More
