Serena Williams Loses in Third Round of French Open After Being Spotted in Wheelchair Last Week
By Austin Pert
Serena Williams was spotted in a wheelchair four days before her opening match at the French Open, one of tennis' major tournaments. While the situation may have raised some eyebrows, it is understandable if the 23-time major title holder wanted to enjoy Disneyland Paris in a precautionary fashion prior to a few strenuous weeks of tennis action (she hoped).
IMO, if something was really serious, Serena wouldn't be out in front of everyone in a wheelchair at Disneyland in Paris. She would keep it quiet.
— Matt Dowell (@TheMattDowell) May 23, 2019
Looks precautionary so she doesn't walk for miles before a major begins. https://t.co/3Dv9sxDQeM
But after Serena's loss to Russian-American Sofia Kenin in the competition's third round (6-2 7-5) on Saturday, questions are surrounding Williams' condition following her defeat.
Serena of old would’ve gotten up 4-3, 15-30 like she did today and put her foot on the gas and never looked back.
— Matt Dowell (@TheMattDowell) June 1, 2019
Today, she started spraying balls and looked unsure of herself.
That’s mental, but it’s also match play. She has to play more matches IMO to get a rhythm #RG19
Williams failed to address any reason why she was in the wheelchair just before the tournament, and while conventional wisdom is that she was just trying to save her legs, her answer left the door open to further speculation. Saturday's loss adds more flame to any rumors.
Serena Williams was asked for an explanation of the photo of her in a wheelchair that was shared on social media prior to the #FrenchOpen.
— Tom Webber (@thwebber) May 30, 2019
"I'm not going to get into that. I'm playing, and all's good," she said.
It isn't any secret that Serena has lost a step since the complications surrounding the birth of her first child (which is, of course, understandable -- she went through absolute hell). She won the 2017 Australian Open in the very early stages of her pregnancy, but has failed to win a slam since, even after returning to the tour at last year's French Open.
It remains to be seen what the immediate future holds for the 37-year-old, but there is no doubt that Williams must recover from her injury, mental jam, or whatever is holding her back in time for Wimbledon later this month.