Serena Williams skipped a big Wimbledon event last Sunday and speculation has started to leak out for the potential reason why.
This past Sunday, Wimbledon held a Centenary celebration, commemorating 100 years of the Centre Court location. Roger Federer, who missed the whole tournament with a knee injury, flew in for the event.
Williams, who was upset by Harmony Tan in the first round, snubbed the event.
The Telegraph in the UK reports that this decision might be linked to Williams being “disappointed” that she was unable to keep use of five courtesy cars provided by the All England Club for the whole tournament.
The rules stipulate that players must return their courtesy cars within 24 hours of getting knocked out. Williams reportedly sought to keep the cars, which she was using for herself plus her husband, sister, mother, and coach, after Wimbledon concluded. However, the paper said her request was denied. The courtesy cars, which feature distinctive Wimbledon branding, are provided by the tournament sponsor, Jaguar Land Rover, according to the Times of London.
Serena Williams was knocked out of the first round of Wimbledon by Harmony Tan. Visionhaus/Getty Images
The Jaguar I-PACE by Jaguar Land Rover UK. Jaguar Land Rover UK
Serena Williams speaks during a press conference following her defeat to Harmony Tan of France in their Women’s Singles First Round Match on day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2022. Getty Images“She wanted to use the cars for the whole two weeks because that’s what happens at the other grand slams,” an unnamed source told the Telegraph. “She was told that was not possible because they had to be used by the other players. She was not happy. Maybe that’s why she refused to take part in the centenary parade.”
Williams had not yet returned to America; she attended a Rolling Stones concert with her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, in London on the same day as the Centenary celebration.
The 40-year-old Williams is a seven-time Wimbledon singles champion.
