“I was literally killing it, then I got killed by the grass” – Venus Williams figuring out her next plan after Wimbledon exit

The American was defeated by Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the first round on Monday

Image Credit: Fotoarena / Panoramic

July 4, 2023

Venus Williams, five-time Wimbledon singles champion, started her 24th campaign on the slick grass courts of the All England Club in great form. The 43-year-old broke her opponent Elina Svitolina early on to go up 2-0. But in the third game of the first set as she hit a volley, the American slipped on the grass and let out a loud sceeam.

While she soldiered on after getting checked by the tournament medical team, Williams’ movement and form were hampered form thereon as she went down to Svitolina 6-4, 6-3.

Speaking after the loss to the press, Williams put the fall down to bad luck and said she was disappointed as she felt she was in great form coming into the tournament.

“Grass is inherently going to be slippery. You’re going to fall at some point. It was just bad luck for me. I started the match perfectly. I was literally killing it, then I got killed by the grass (laughter),” Williams said. “It’s not fun right now. I felt like I was in great form coming into this tournament, and great form in the match. It’s all very shocking at the moment. This is sports. I’m hitting the ball well. Hopefully I can just figure out what’s happening with me and move forward.”

Earlier in the week, Williams, as the norm has been with her, was tight-lipped about any of her future plans to play on. Asked whether fans would get to see her at the US Open in August, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion said she was still processing thigs after the match and needed time to figure things out.

“I got to figure out my next plan. Right now I’m kind of in shock. I just can’t believe this happened. It’s, like, bizarre. I don’t know. I’m still processing it at the moment.”

“I think what makes this one hard to process is I’ve had so many injuries. I’ve been missing from tour for quite a while. This is not what I want for myself. This kind of fall, I didn’t do anything wrong. I just went for the ball. There’s nothing I can really do about it. Those kinds of things are hard to process emotionally, mentally and physically on the court. I just couldn’t figure it out today. It was just real challenging. I’ve played through a lot of injuries and won a lot of matches injured. It’s almost a specialty of mine. I just couldn’t figure it out today.”

Even as her opponent complimented her for fighting on through the match, one of the many compliments Williams has received as she returned to the tour this summer, the American said she was just trying her best to do her job. “I’m just being me. I live my life the best way I can. I’m a competitor. That’s what I do for a living, so… I did what I could today.”

And many of her fans will hope that Williams will continue to do so in the coming months!!