Serena Williams faced a social media accusation from former Wimbledon opponent Harmony Tan during her return to the tournament on Tuesday. Tan, who defeated Williams in three sets in 2022, claimed the 23-time Grand Slam winner blocked her on Instagram, posting a screenshot to prove she could not follow Williams.
Tan's Social Media Post
“So the four years ago after the handshake, she blocked me on Instagram also,” Tan wrote on social media, accompanied by a laughing face emoji and a screenshot showing she was not following Williams. The post came as Williams was competing in her first Wimbledon match since 2021, facing Maya Joint.
Background of the Rivalry
The tension dates back to their 2022 second-round encounter, where Tan, then ranked 115th, upset Williams 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7). After the match, Tan described Williams as “nice” but noted the handshake was brief. Williams, 44, has not publicly commented on the block allegation.
Williams' Wimbledon Return
Williams, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, was playing her first match at the All England Club since an injury forced her retirement in 2021. The match against Joint was suspended due to bad light, with Williams leading 6-4, 2-3. The interruption left fans and commentators stunned, as the BBC broadcast was cut short.
