Tennis icon Serena Williams has been torched by fans after pulling out of Wimbledon with a knee injury that ruined her plan to play doubles with sister Venus.
'I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside Venus once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete,' Williams said in a post on Instagram.
The 44-year-old included photos of her receiving treatment and four syringes filled with yellow fluid she said had to be drained from her knee.
But that didn't cut it with many tennis fans who accused Williams of returning to the All England Club to stage a publicity stunt while taking a wildcard entry away from a younger, more deserving player.
'We all knew this [would happen]. You did too. Your ego took a place from a hardworking, deserving pro,' one wrote on X.
Another responded to the tournament's official X account posting 'It was a pleasure welcoming you back, Serena' by writing, 'It wasn't. Wimbledon, you have been mugged. Awful decision to have them [the Williams sisters] back.'
