The American loses in her much-anticipated comeback in round one. Williams acts weak for long stretches, but is close to entering round two – and ultimately loses to French outsider Harmony Tan.
Serena Williams had already celebrated as if she had won Wimbledon. On your knees with both arms in the air. And yet, a little later, on the famous Wimbledon lawn, she suffered one of her most bitter defeats. After a one-year break, Williams lost to French outsider Harmony Tan 5-7, 6-1, 6-7 (7-10).
In her spectacular comeback, the 23-time major winner delivered a drama that the tennis world had had to do without for a long time. And the brave Tan, number 115 in the world and a debutante at Wimbledon, played more than just a supporting role. Williams was, of course, a shadow of the great tennis player of yore for long stretches. From time to time her skills flashed – and the audience cheered. It wanted a continuation of the spectacle that has kept the All England Club in suspense for days. But Tan successfully countered. As the thriller reached its climax in the tiebreak, she kept her nerve.
For Williams it was her 21st (!) Tournament on Church Road. Last year she slipped on Center Court and retired injured. But she wanted to do it again, at 40, with a daughter, an investment firm, and all the responsibilities that come with being a sports celebrity in the United States. Including: Appearances at the Academy Awards and the Met Gala. The only thing she didn’t play again was tennis until just before Wimbledon, when she returned in doubles at Eastbourne.
Nevertheless, doubts remained about their form. Tan knew about the weaknesses in footwork, she knew that the seven-time Wimbledon champion could no longer be the outstanding player she once was. And she had nothing to lose.
Williams and Tan had to wait a bit, Rafael Nadal had made it exciting and needed three and a half hours for his four-set win on Center Court. Then the stage belonged to Williams again, who won one more major title than the Spaniard. Watching in the box were husband Alexis Ohanian, sister Venus and mother Oracene. Very calm at first, then more and more tense. In the end, Williams had to congratulate Tan at the net. At first she could hardly believe her triumph.