Serena Williams has reportedly missed a major Wimbledon event because organisers wouldn’t allow her to keep courtesy cars after being eliminated from the tournament.
Wimbledon held a ceremony on Monday morning (AEST) celebrating the centenary of the location of Centre Court.
Roger Federer, who did not compete at Wimbledon this year due to a knee injury, flew in for the occasion, along with more than 20 other former champions.
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Williams, who was knocked out in the first round by Harmony Tan, missed the event completely.
The Telegraph in the UK reports her decision to miss the event was linked to her “disappointment” at being denied the use of five courtesy cars provided to her for the whole tournament.
The All England Club requires all courtesy cars to be returned to them within 24-hours of a player being knocked out. Williams reportedly asked to use the cars – for her husband, mother, sister, and coach – until the tournament finished.
The cars are provided by tournament sponsor Jaguar Land Rover, and feature prominent Wimbledon branding.
“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.
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“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 left the UK – she was spotted at a Rolling Stones concert with her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, at Hyde Park in London on the same day as the Centenary celebration, and later on at a restaurant.
Ash Barty and Evonne Goolagong also missed the event.
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