Williams sisters both ousted at Wimbledon

Associated Press

WIMBLEDON, England

Serena and Venus Williams are both headed home after straight-set exits in the fourth round at Wimbledon on Monday.

First, 13-time major champion Serena lost 6-3, 7-6 (6) to ninth-seeded Marion Bartoli on Court 1. Then, less than two hours later and before a Centre Court crowd that included Prince William and his new bride, Kate, five-time Wimbledon champion Venus was beaten 6-2, 6-3 by 32nd-seeded Tsvetana Pironkova.

Adding to the chaotic nature of the afternoon, top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki lost, too, although she’s still searching for her first Grand Slam singles trophy, whereas the Williams sisters own a total of 20.

“Definitely not our best day,” Venus said. “I think we both envisioned seeing this day going a little bit different.”

And why shouldn’t they have? Venus and her younger sister combined to win nine of the past 11 Wimbledon titles, including Serena’s victories in 2009 and 2010.

They even played each other in four of the finals in that span.

“Well, I never came here thinking I would lose,” said Serena, a former No. 1 whose ranking now will plummet to about 175th. “That’s my attitude.”

It’s the first time since 2006 that neither Williams is in the Wimbledon quarterfinals.

“Obviously, it’s not something planned,” Venus said. “We rarely lose on the same day.”

That’s true: They last lost on the same day at a Grand Slam tournament on May 30, 2008, in the French Open’s third round.

Wozniacki still has yet to make it past the fourth round at Wimbledon after a 1-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5 defeat against No. 24 Dominika Cibulkova.

“To be honest, I don’t really care what people think or say or do,” said Wozniacki. I did my best and it wasn’t good enough.”