Wimbledon Faces Backlash After Serena Williams Retirement

In moments that were difficult to watch, the 39-year-old was visibly overcome with emotion as she acknowledged the crowd who'd tried to spur her on. After one last wave to fans, she limped off court, the question of whether she'd ever be back left unanswered.

She added: "Feeling the extraordinary warmth and support of the crowd today when I walked on – and off – the court meant the world to me."

After briefly attempting to resume play, Mannarino also retired.

"Brutal for @serenawilliams but centre court is extremely slippy out there," Murray tweeted. "Not easy to move out there."

In a post-match press conference, Federer also said that the conditions were "a tad more slippery under the roof."

Williams' opponent, Aliaksandra Sasnovich, echoed this in a post-match press conference of her own, noting just how slippery the surface was. According to reports, she said: "It was very slippery — I fell as well. When she did an angle, I couldn't run, because it was so slippery."

"There's been more slips in 2 days than in the past 2 years," one tweeted. "Having played on grass for the past 5years this is something that needs to be addressed & quickly as the players safety are in danger! [sic]"

"Wimbledon really needs to manage their courts better," another tweet read. "The baselines already look so damp. Why are they putting the athletes in so much danger."

"The grass is too slippery!" a further tweet said, tagging the Wimbledon Twitter account. "First Mannarino and then Serena Williams injuring themselves and having to retire within an hour of each other on Center Court is not okay. Please do something."

"The preparation of the grass courts has been to exactly the same meticulous standard as in previous years," the statement read. "Each grass court is checked by the Grand Slam Supervisors, Referee's Office and Grounds team ahead of play commencing, and on both days of the Fortnight they have been happy with the conditions and cleared the courts for play."

"Our long-serving Grounds team have experienced nearly every combination of weather conditions possible," the statement said. "They keep abreast of and utilise the latest grass court technologies, prepare for every weather eventuality and react to the current conditions on a daily basis."

It finished: "We will continue to monitor these readings and adjust our care plan for the grass appropriately."

Pictures of Williams leaving the tournament grounds following her match seemed to show that she was "walking OK" after receiving treatment.

Although the tennis legend, who turns 40 in September, has yet to reveal her future plans, her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, appeared to suggest that they'd continue to work together.

"Serena trained hard. She was ready. She wanted it with all her heart. But unfortunately, her foot slipped and her body, as it reacted, broke down," Mouratoglou wrote on Instagram. "It is heartbreaking but there is nothing we can do about it, except working and trying again."

And, in a potential message of hope, he appeared to look to the future, simply writing: "See you soon."