Reason why Serena Williams wore plasters on her face and neck during Wimbledon return
Tennis fans all over watched on last night (30 June) as Serena Williams took on Australian Maya Joint on Wimbledon's Centre Court.
Unfortunately for the 44-year-old sporting legend, she fell to a 6-3 6-7 (6) 6-3 defeat against 20-year-old Joint.
Williams declined to attend a post-match press conference but said in a comment distributed to press: "It was really great to be back at Wimbledon.
"I never expected to be here. The atmosphere was amazing. Walking out was amazing. I definitely relished it and missed it and enjoyed the moment more than anything."
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She's previously said that her comeback, which happened four years after 'evolving away' from the sport, is about playing in front of her children rather than winning.
Williams gave birth to her second child, a daughter named Adira, in 2023.
She and her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, also share a nine-year-old daughter named Olympia.
During the match, hawk-eyed fans will have noticed Williams donning a plaster on her neck as well as on her cheek during a previous warm-up ahead of last night's game.
It's not a new thing, either, as the 23-time Major champion has regularly been seen with tape and plasters on her face and neck during matches for years now, leaving many intrigued as to the actual reason behind this.
Well, simply put, it's down to a sinus issue, and the medical tape is meant to ease pressure in the region.
Kinesiology tape, or KT Tape, is typically used to support muscles and joints, but Williams applies it to her face to help manage chronic sinus problems that have affected her throughout much of her career.
Persistent sinus congestion can cause intense facial pressure, headaches and pain, making it difficult to stay focused during competition.
The tape is thought to gently lift the skin, encouraging lymphatic drainage and helping to reduce congestion.
Williams herself confirmed this back in 2007 while launching a campaign for sinus medications.
Opening up about the health condition, she said: "My secret’s out. I’m a sinus sufferer. Playing tennis or pretty much doing anything every day is not easy when you have sinuses.
"You feel a lot of pressure, congestion and pain, and training for Grand Slams such as the ones coming up like Wimbledon and the French Open – it’s not easy.
"It’s not easy to play when you have all this pressure.
"The last thing I want to do is go out on a tennis court and play Venus and be tired. That’s not fun at all, especially against her; she’s so tough."
Rhiannon Ingle