Some big names in the world of tennis have exited French Open tournament on Sunday as 23-time Grand Slam winner, Serena Williams, lost to Elena Rybakina while 20-time Grand Slam winner, Roger Federer, withdrew from the tournament citing health concerns.
Williams came into the match on the back of three good wins and she was looking the odds-on favourite to get to the final but 21-year-old Rybakina, No.21 seed, upset the form books with a straight sets win – 6-3, 7-5, in 77 minutes.
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The defeated American had played 15 matches all season leading to Roland Garros and said as much in the post-match press conference, saying;
I got some good matches in here. I did not have the best clay-court season, but it was good to finally get some wins on clay.
Rybakina raced into a 4-1 lead in the first set but Williams said the match was a close one, expressing;
There is literally a point here, a point there, that could change the whole course of the match. I’m not winning those points. That literally could just change everything.
Williams’ wait for a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title continues until Wimbledon.
In the men’s draw, Roger Federer withdrew from the tournament after his third-round win over Dominik Koepfer on Saturday.
The match against Koepfer, which he won in four sets of 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 7-5, lasted three hours and 35 minutes.
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Federer, who will turn 40 in August, in a statement via his Twitter page said;
After two knee surgeries and over a year of rehabilitation it’s important that I listen to my body and make sure I don’t push myself too quickly on my road to recovery.
After discussions with my team, I’ve decided I will need to pull out of Roland-Garros today. I am thrilled to have gotten three matches under my belt. There is no greater feeling than being back on court.
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) June 6, 2021
