LONDON (AFP) – Defending champion Serena Williams broke down in tears as she made an emotional Wimbledon return on Tuesday while Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova barely broke sweat.
Four-time winner Williams, watched by US pop superstar Diana Ross and England’s Ashes-winning cricketers in the Royal Box, battled past Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in what was only her third match in 11 months.
“I usually don’t cry. It’s been so hard, I never dreamt I’d be here,” said Williams.
The great American was sidelined for 11 months after her 2010 Wimbledon triumph.
She suffered a foot injury caused by stepping on broken glass at a German restaurant before needing emergency surgery to remove blood clots on her lungs, an incident Williams described as being on her death bed.
“I just wanted to win at least one match here and since I’m not playing doubles it was a really big win for me.
“To be able to come back at Wimbledon is pretty awesome, I didn’t expect to play or do anything,” added seventh-seed Williams, who next tackles Romania’s Simona Halep.
Six-time men’s champion Federer, chasing Pete Sampras’s record of seven titles, cruised to a 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-2 win over Mikhail Kukushkin of
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