American tennis star Serena Williams’ dream of winning an eighth Wimbledon singles title and equalling Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slams ended in tears this morning.

The 39-year-old was leading 3-1 in the first set of her first round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus when she slipped and had to have her left leg examined.

She returned after receiving medical treatment but quit the game at 3-3 and walked off Centre Court in tears, clearly heartbroken as she waved goodbye to the crowd who gave her a huge round of applause.

This is the first time Wiliams has bowed out in the first round of Wimbledon.

She skipped her post-match press conference and instead released a statement on Instagram.

“I was heartbroken to have to withdraw today after injuring my right leg,” Williams wrote. “My love and gratitude are with the fans and the team who make being on Centre Court so meaningful.

“Feeling the extraordinary warmth and support of the crowd today when I walked on — and off — the court meant the world to me.”

Speaking to the New York Times, Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou revealed the injury was at the “top of the hamstring”.

The world has reacted to Serena’s heartbreak, with fellow tennis players weighing in on the incident.

“This is obviously terrible that it’s back-to-back matches and it hits Serena as well,” Federer said. “Oh, my God, I can’t believe it.”

Andy Murray also weighed in, tweeting: “Brutal for @serenawilliams but centre court is extremely slippy out there. Not easy to move out there.”

Wimbledon’s 2019 star Coco Gauff said she could not look, as the player who inspired her to take up tennis wept as she left the stage.

“I turned away,” Gauff said after beating British wildcard Francesca Jones in her first round match.

“I was in the gym actually stretching. I turned away because stuff like that makes me, like, really emotional.

“I wish that hopefully she can have a speedy recovery. Yeah, you could tell she was really emotional.

“Nobody ever wants to retire, but especially at a Grand Slam, a place as special as Wimbledon after waiting two years to come back.”

Serena hasn’t won a Slam since the 2017 Australian Open.