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Tuesday, November 10, 2026Nov 10

Discussing crash, Venus Williams sheds tears at Wimbledon

Venus Williams of the United States smiles during her Women's Singles Match against Belgium's Elise Mertens on the opening day at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London Monday, July 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
Venus Williams of the United States smiles during her Women's Singles Match against Belgium's Elise Mertens on the opening day at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London Monday, July 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) Venus Williams of the United States smiles during her Women's Singles Match against Belgium's Elise Mertens on the opening day at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London Monday, July 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

LONDON (AP) – Venus Williams wiped tears from her eyes during her Wimbledon news conference Monday.

She shook her head, fiddled with her hair and sat, silently.

The wave of emotion came as Williams attempted to answer a question about the two-car crash that police say she caused June 9 in Florida; a 78-year-old passenger in the other vehicle died 13 days later. Williams’ 7-6 (7), 6-4 victory over Elise Mertens at the All England Club was the five-time Wimbledon champion’s first match anywhere since the accident – and the first time she has spoken about it publicly.

Well, tried to speak about it. She began by saying: “There are really no words to describe, like, how devastating and …”

Williams paused.