Why is Serena Williams wearing plasters on her face at Wimbledon? Reasons explained as American eyes title
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Updated 29/06/2022 at 11:52 GMT
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams appeared at the tournament as a wildcard after initially being omitted from the entry list following a year out of the sport with injury. The 40-year-old was knocked out in the first round following defeat in three sets to world No. 113 Harmony Tan of France.
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Serena Williams returned to action at Wimbledon this year, where she succumbed to a dramatic three set defeat- to world No. 113 Harmony Tan of France,
Following on from her appearance in the women's doubles at Eastbourne last week, the 40-year-old was back in singles action looking to firmly consign a frustrating injury-plagued 12 months behind her as a wild card at the All England club.
Since withdrawing from the first round at Wimbledon last year, the American was forced to miss last year’s US Open and this year’s Australian Open, before choosing to miss the French Open.
Despite her loss, it was a welcome return to see one of the sport’s most iconic figures back competing, and one of the most striking things about the 23-time Grand Slam champion’s appearance were the plasters on her cheek.
A report from The Times claims this is due to a longstanding sinus problem, and the tape plays a crucial role in relieving the symptoms.
Williams spoke about playing with the condition in 2007 and said at the time in quotes published by the Edinburgh Evening News: “I’m a sinus sufferer. Playing tennis or pretty much doing anything every day is not easy when you have sinuses. You feel a lot of pressure, congestion and pain and training for Grand Slams... it’s not easy.”
Sinusitis is a condition that swells the empty spaces behind your cheeks connecting to the nose. Once the lining swells, mucus cannot drain from your nose and throat correctly.
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There was naturally a degree of scepticism surrounding her chances of success at Wimbledon after initially being left off the entry list for this year’s event.
However, her dramatic inclusion as a wildcard had her fans dreaming of an eighth title at the All England Club.
Unfortunately, it wasn't to be as after a heroic performance from Tan on a dramatic night on Centre Court.
Williams' shock defeat may have had its roots in her losing her "intimidation factor", according to Mats Wilander.
"The intimidation factor I don't think is there anymore," Wilander 'Intimidation factor not there anymore' - Wilander on shock Serena loss.
"It used to be, but I don't think these younger players are that intimidated anymore by her [Williams] because they haven't seen her win as much.
"And I actually think Tan was a nightmare opponent for Serena. I think she [Williams] would have much rather played somebody who hits the ball harder, and maybe makes a few more mistakes because Tan doesn't make too many mistakes. She had a perfect game plan, so she must have talked about that with [coach and former Wimbledon finalist] Nathalie Tauziat.
"What an unbelievable tennis match for someone that young [24].
"I think maybe Serena needs a few more matches. It looked like when it got close in the end the confidence was maybe not there. I'm not saying that she got nervous necessarily, but if you haven't played more matches, you can't really trust yourself. She hit a couple of drop shots on very big points and she must probably think 'why, what did I do that for?'
"In the end, Tan had a very good game to play against Serena Williams because she has good hands and she made Serena move, but Serena looked really good. She just maybe lacked a bit in confidence."
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Watch daily highlights from Wimbledon at 10pm on Eurosport 2 and discovery+ from June 27, as well as the two singles finals live on July 9 and 10.
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