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Serena Williams Loses at Wimbledon in 1st Match in a Year
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Serena Williams began and ended her comeback at Wimbledon after 364 days out of singles competition looking very much like someone who hadn’t competed in just that long. She missed shots, shook her head, rolled her eyes.
In between, there were moments where Williams played very much like someone whose strokes and will have carried her to 23 Grand Slam titles. She hit blistering serves and strokes, celebrated with arms aloft.
Returning to the site of her last singles match, which she had to stop after less than a set because of an injury on June 29, 2021, and seven of her major championships, the 40-year-old Williams came within two points of victory. But she could not finish the job against an opponent making her Wimbledon debut and bowed out with a 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) loss to 115th-ranked Harmony Tan of France.
“It’s definitely better than last year,” Williams said. “That’s a start.”
Asked whether this might have been her last match, Williams replied: “That’s a question I can’t answer. I don’t know. … Who knows? Who knows where I’ll pop up?”
With her older sister Venus, jumping out of a guest box seat at Centre Court to celebrate the best points, Serena Williams was oh-so-close to pulling out a topsy-turvy match that lasted 3 hours, 11 minutes and was contested with the retractable roof shut for the last two sets.
“For my first Wimbledon, it’s: Wow. Just wow,” said the 24-year-old Tan, who recalled watching Williams on TV as a youngster.
“When I saw the draw, I was really scared,” Tan said with a laugh, “because it’s Serena Williams. She’s a legend. I was like, ‘Oh, my God, how can I play?’”
This is one indication of how things were at the get-go: Of Tan’s first 11 points, only one came via a winner she produced. Others came via errors by Williams, either forced or unforced.
While Williams — who wore two pieces of black tape on her right cheek; the reason was not immediately clear — recovered from dropping the opening two games to lead 4-2, she reversed course again and allowed Tan to quickly climb back into that set with her mix of spins and slices.
When Tan pulled even at 4-all by striking a down-the-line backhand winner, she celebrated with a yell; that shot was so good that even Williams felt compelled to applaud.
Tan came into the day with a 2-6 career record at all Grand Slam tournaments. Clearly enjoying herself — and the setting, the moment, the way it all was going — she broke to lead 6-5 with the help of a cross-court forehand winner, looked at her guest box, raised a fist and waved her arms to ask for more noise from a crowd that was loudly backing Williams.
Soon enough, a forehand passing winner gave Tan that set. At that point, it seemed reasonable to ask: Could Tan pull off by far the biggest victory of her career? Might Williams exit a major in the first round for only the third time in 80 appearances (the previous were a loss at the 2012 French Open and that mid-match retirement at Wimbledon last year)?
The latter is what happened, of course, although Williams certainly played spectacularly in the second set. She won a monumental game to lead 2-0, breaking after 30 points and 12 deuces across almost 20 minutes when Tan shanked a forehand into the chair umpire’s stand.
In a blink, then, it was 5-0 and sure seemed as if Williams was on her way.
Her serves picked up pace and became more accurate, too: After winning just 57% of her first-serve points in the first set, she claimed 80% in the second. Her other strokes were better-calibrated: After making 22 unforced errors in the first set, she made 13 in the second.
In the third set, Williams was two points from advancing while serving for the match at 5-4 but couldn’t get closer.
Williams has spent more than 300 weeks ranked No. 1 but currently is 1,204th on account off all of that time off and thus needed a wild-card invitation from the All England Club to enter the bracket “If you’re playing week in, week out, or even every three weeks, every four weeks, there’s a little bit more match toughness,” she said. “But with that being said, I felt like I played pretty OK on some of ‘em. Not all of ’em. Maybe some key ones I definitely could have played better. You’ve got to think if I were playing matches, I wouldn’t miss some of those points.”
Still, Tan was a point from victory at 6-5, and Williams erased that with a forehand winner — beginning a seven-point run that not only sent the match to a tiebreaker but put her ahead 4-0 in it.
Yet Tan would not go gently. She grabbed five points in a row for a 5-4 lead in the new final-set tiebreaker format adopted this year by all four tennis majors: first to 10 points, win by two.
At crunch time, when Williams has excelled so often on so many big stages, she faltered. Tan came through.
Next for Tan is a second-round match Thursday against No. 32 seed Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain. Sorribes Tormo advanced by defeating American qualifier Christina McHale 6-2, 6-1.
Earlier Tuesday, No. 1 Iga Swiatek extended her winning streak to 36 matches by beating Croatian qualifier Jana Fett 6-0, 6-3, while others advancing in the women’s bracket included No. 11 Coco Gauff, 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova and 2019 U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu.
In the men’s field, the most significant matter Tuesday was the withdrawal of Matteo Berrettini, last year’s runner-up to Novak Djokovic at the All England Club, because of a positive COVID-19 test. Another past finalist, Marin Cilic, pulled out Monday for the same reason.
Both Berrettini, who went 9-0 on grass courts elsewhere this month, and Cilic, the 2014 U.S. Open champion, got themselves checked for COVID-19 after developing symptoms; players are not required to get tested in order to compete.
Men’s winners included 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, No. 4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, No. 11 Taylor Fritz and unseeded Nick Kyrgios. No. 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime bowed out against serve-and-volleying American Maxime Cressy 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (9), 7-6 (5).
The men’s bracket already is missing six of the top 11 in the ATP rankings: No. 1 Daniil Medvedev (ban on Russians), No. 2 Alexander Zverev (ankle surgery), Auger-Alissiame, No. 8 Andrey Rublev (ban on Russians), No. 10 Hubert Hurkacz (lost Monday) and No. 11 Berrettini.
“I feel very sorry for him,” Nadal said about Berrettini, “because he was playing fantastic.”
Headlines
NCDC urges IPC measures to prevent Mpox
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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has urged healthcare workers to strictly adhere to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures when handling Mpox cases to prevent further spread.
Dr Jide Idris, Director-General of NCDC, emphasised the importance of frontline workers prioritising their own safety while providing care for patients in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
“Protect yourself while caring for Mpox patients. Your safety is just as important as your patients’,” he stated.
Mpox, a viral disease caused by the Monkeypox virus, spreads primarily through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated materials, and respiratory droplets.
Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, and a rash that progresses to painful lesions.
Idris also urged hospitals and clinics to reinforce IPC measures to protect both healthcare workers and patients.
He outlined several key safety precautions for healthcare workers, including: wearing gloves, masks, face shields, and gowns while handling patients.
“Regularly wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based sanitisers.
“Avoid direct contact with bodily fluids and use barrier nursing techniques.
“Properly disinfect hospital surfaces and equipment to prevent contamination.
“Identify suspected cases early and ensure proper isolation to curb further transmission,” he said.
Idris assured Nigerians that the NCDC was monitoring the Mpox situation and remained committed to providing regular updates and technical support to health facilities.
He urged healthcare workers to stay vigilant, report suspected cases promptly, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of Mpox.
He also called on the general public to stay informed, avoid close contact with infected individuals, and practice good hygiene to reduce the risk of infection.
As part of its ongoing response, he said that the NCDC had been working with state health authorities, training healthcare workers, and strengthening laboratory capacity for Mpox diagnosis.
Idris reiterated that preventing the spread of Mpox required collective effort from both healthcare workers and the public, encouraging Nigerians to remain cautious, follow public health guidelines, and support efforts to contain the virus.
He advised healthcare workers and the public to visit the NCDC’s official website or follow its verified social media handles for more information and updates.
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NAWOJ FCT partners traditional leaders to empower rural women
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The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT Chapter, has launched a strategic partnership with traditional leaders to amplify the voices, protect the rights, and promote empowerment initiatives for rural women in FCT communities.
Ms. Queen Kunde, Chairperson of the NAWOJ FCT Media Team, made the announcement in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, following a courtesy visit led by Mrs Bassey Ita-Ikpang, Chairperson of NAWOJ FCT.
The visit was made to the wife of the Abaji/President of the Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers Association.
Bassey stated that the partnership was part of the preparations for the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration.
The event, globally observed on March 8, honours the achievements and challenges faced by women and calls for action.
She explained that the initiative aimed to promote the rights and interests of rural women, who often face unique challenges such as limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Speaking on the theme for the 2025 celebration, “Accelerating Action for Gender Equality: The Voice of Rural Women,” the chairperson emphasised the need for deliberate and strategic actions.
She called for the inclusion of rural women in the fight for gender equality, economic empowerment, and social justice.
“We recognise your unwavering commitment to women’s development and the welfare of our communities.
“As mothers, leaders, and role models, you have continuously inspired women, especially in rural areas, to embrace self-reliance and strive for a better future,” Bassey said.”
Through the collaboration, Bassey stated, both parties would create platforms for rural women to share their stories, concerns, and aspirations.
“This will help raise awareness about the issues affecting rural women and mobilise support for their empowerment.”
Responding, Hajiya Hauwa Ibrahim, Wife of the Ona of Abaji and President of the Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers Association, pledged support for the initiative.
She expressed recognition for the crucial role of empowering rural women in promoting sustainable community development.
Ibrahim also expressed concern over the rising cases of gender-based violence in palace jurisdictions, stating: “At the palace, we handle numerous cases of gender-based violence.”
She assured their full support, saying, “We are delighted to collaborate with NAWOJ FCT because our vision aligns with ensuring a better life for women and children.
“The 17 chiefs of the FCT are fully on board and ready to support this initiative—do not hesitate to call on us whenever needed.”
Ibrahim further recalled that the Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers Association was established in 2019.
She said the establishment was in response to the advice of former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, who recognised the need for a unified platform to enhance the impact of the wives of traditional rulers.
Headlines
NSCC partners Correctional Service to support welfare of aged inmates
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The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), says it will partnership with the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) in supporting the welfare of aged inmates.
Dr Emem Omokaro, the Director General of the Centre, said this on Tuesday in Abuja, during a meeting with the acting Comptroller General of the NCoS, Mr Sylvester Nwakuche.
Omokaro said that the partnership became imperative; in order to address the welfare issues affecting older persons in correctional centres across the country.
She explained that the welfare packages for the older inmates would include training them in their specific areas of need, as well as bringing them medical outreaches and other social welfare to improve their wellbeing.
The NSCC director general who expressed concern over the pathetic conditions of aged inmates in correctional facilities, also called for urgent action to support them.
She said a technical working team would be set up with a view to undertaking a need assessment and articulating the priority areas for the training.
Omokaro added that the mandate of the NSCC was to cater for the welfare of older persons including those in the correctional facilities, hence the need to initiate programmes that would promote their wellbeing.
”The Technical Working Group is expected to structure and initiate impactful programmes that will address the specific needs of inmates at the Nigeria correctional facilities who are 60 years and above,” she said.
In his response, Nwakuche thanked the director general for identifying with the NCoS and expressed readiness to support all efforts towards improving the quality of life and wellbeing of inmates.
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