Wimbledon 2017: Venus Williams cries after beating Elise Mertens
Venus Williams has broken down in tears at a post-match Wimbledon news conference when questioned about her emotions regarding a potential wrongful death lawsuit from the family of a man who died in a Florida car crash.
The five-time champion, 37, had secured a 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 victory over Elise Mertens, 21-year-old Belgian, playing her first Wimbledon.
When probed she said: “There are no words to describe how devastating, I’m completely speechless,” before crying.
She left the room and composed herself before returning to answer another couple of questions on the match.
According to police Williams was at fault for the traffic accident, which caused the death of Jerome Barson, 78.
She said earlier in the news conference: “Tennis is still the love of my life. It gives me joy.
“Life, you can’t prepare for everything. I can prepare for matches and what opponents will throw at you. But I have no idea what tomorrow will bring.”
Williams needed five set points before taking the first-set.
A rain delay on Court One then halted the progress of the American 10th seed after Mertens saved two match points.
Mertens held and saved a further two match points before Williams produced an emphatic smash to secure victory.
“Venus has got to be pleased to get that done and dusted,” said former British number one Annabel Croft, commentating for BBC television.
“I don’t think it was the best level we’ve seen from her but certainly for her first match on grass this season, it was a very good start.”
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Williams, making her 20th appearance at Wimbledon, opted against playing in a grass court warm-up event since her fourth-round defeat at the French Open.
She easily beat Mertens 6-3 6-1 in the third round at Roland Garros, but they were evenly matched in an entertaining first set before the Wimbledon debutant sliced a backhand into the net to settle the tie-break.
The American took control with three straight games to lead 4-2 in the second set, keeping her composure after Mertens’ late resistance and the rain break to set up a second round tie against Wang Qiang of China, who beat Chang Kai-chen of Taiwan 6-3 6-4.