Boris Becker warned that ‘time waits for no man or woman’ and suggested that Wimbledon may never see Serena Williams again after her tearful first-round exit.

Williams suffered a right leg injury early in her opening match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich and was forced to retire after just six games.

She opted against completing her post-match media duties but released a statement to the tournament after leaving the site.

‘I was heartbroken to have to withdraw today after injuring my right leg,’ said Williams.’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.’

With Williams – a 23-time Grand Slam champion – turning 40 in September, time is not on her side and Becker would not be surprised if this proved to be a painful end to her final Wimbledon as a player.

‘It’s the last thing that a champion like Serena wants to do – leave her favourite courts with a walkover,’ Becker told the BBC.

‘She can barely walk straight. We’ve got to get used to the fact that this might be the last time.

‘She is past 30. It’s another year of coming back, injuries, wear-and-tear, she also had an injury at the French Open.

‘It is sad to see but time waits for no man or woman.

‘The courts seem to be a little bit slippery this year, a number of players have been complaining. Her left ankle went one way, her right leg went sideward.

‘She must have strained whatever injury she already had. Unfortunately she had to quit.’

On Wednesday, fifth seed Bianca Andreescu – who wrote for Metro.co.uk ahead of the tournament – became the biggest casualty of the women’s draw so far.

Andreescu was beaten in straight sets by Alize Cornet, the world No. 58 from France, with her opponent making a wonderful lob on the stretch on match point.