After Serena Williams Is Injured, Wimbledon Defends Court Conditions

By Ben Rothenberg

WIMBLEDON, England — Matches continued on Centre Court at Wimbledon as rain fell outside on the first two days of the tournament that showcases top stars in an arena considered a cathedral of the sport before thousands of fans.

And while the rain wasn’t falling inside Centre Court, the players were. At their best, fast, low-bouncing grass courts encourage engaging, all-court tennis that rewards risk and punishes passivity.

At their worst, the courts’ slick surfaces allow flat-soled tennis shoes to skid and send players falling to the ground, often in pain.

Slippery conditions caused injuries in back-to-back matches on Tuesday, affecting the fortunes of two of the sport’s most venerated stars. First, Roger Federer advanced after his opponent, Adrian Mannarino, slipped and sustained a knee injury while leading two sets to one.

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