Serena Williams did not participate in a post-match press conference after her first-round loss at Wimbledon on Tuesday in her singles return, and some let her have it on social media.
The tournament said in a statement that Williams “unfortunately will not be able to undertake media this evening” — and deferred to quotes from the seven-time Wimbledon champ after her first Grand Slam match in four years.
“It was really great to be back at Wimbledon,” Williams’ statement said. “I never expected to be here.
“The atmosphere was amazing. Walking out was amazing. I definitely relished it and missed it and enjoyed the moment more than anything.”
Her agent, Jill Smoller, later explained that Williams was excused from media obligations due to injury.
“Serena tweaked her knee at the end of the first set and was therefore excused from her media obligations by the Wimbledon and WTA medical teams,” Smoller said in a statement to The Times, a British newspaper.
“She left site that night unaided and is doing everything she can to be ready for her doubles match.”
Williams suffered a right knee injury during her comeback singles match, The Times reported Wednesday morning — adding that there is doubt she will play doubles with her sister, Venus, later this week.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion left the locker room unassisted after crutches were reportedly brought to her locker room at All England Club.
Williams received a standing ovation from the crowd after she lost in three sets to 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint in the first round of the Women’s singles draw.
Some felt differently after she did not speak to media after walking off the court.
“It does seem the media are finally turning on Serena Williams. Missing the mandatory post match conference after getting the privilege of 2 Wild Cards, playing on centre at night under the roof etc was a really bad PR move,” tennis writer Pav Gill wrote on X. “Her PR team will be working overtime in next few days!”
Tennis journalist Simon Cambers added that he was “Impressed at how hard [Williams] fought tonight,” but he was “not impressed that she refused to do her obligatory media conference. Having been given a wildcard by Wimbledon, that’s not on.”
Williams, who was granted a wild-card entry to Wimbledon, held a press conference before the tournament on Sunday.