Venus Williams endured a scare on the Birmingham Classic when she took a heavy tumble in the back of the grass courtroom, not that her opponent was the slightest bit bothered. The 43-year-old former world No 1 was searching for her first victory on grass since 2021, in her first-round match towards Italian Camila Giorgi.

Having damaged her opponent's serve, Williams was serving for a 5-3 first-set lead when she slipped on the baseline and yelped has she fell to the ground, inflicting the watching spectators to gasp.

But together with her rival grounded, Giorgi was in a position to win the purpose on an open courtroom and shouted "Si!" after tieing the sport at deuce.

The actions of the 31-year-old, who's presently quantity 48 within the WTA rankings, didn't impress veteran Williams who, after recomposing herself on the courtroom appeared to repair an icy loss of life stare on her opponent.

The incident finally led to Giorgi breaking again serve and forcing a tie-break, nevertheless it was the American who prevailed, taking the tiebreak 7-5. Although Giorgi would hit again by taking the second set 6-4, Williams would get her first win on grass in virtually two years with one other tie-breaker triumph within the deciding set.

Giorgi's actions after William's on-court slip didn't go down properly with observers on social media, particularly former WTA participant and ex-Serena Williams coach Rennae Stubbs, who shared footage of Williams' glare on Twitter.

Stubbs tweeted: "Camilla Giorgi just yelled Si when @Venuseswilliams just fell over and screamed! I mean wtf !!! I honestly think that could be the lowest moment of her career!!!! And you NEVER want to see this face coming at you now! Come on Vee!"

@TheTennisLetter tweeted: "Venus Williams slips & falls against Camila Giorgi. This could’ve been a lot worse. She’s already playing with an injured knee. Thankfully she’s okay. The crowd cheered for her as she got back up to her feet"

Williams' eventual victory towards an opponent ranked 649 locations above her introduced loud cheers from the gang on the Edgbaston Priory Club.

Defeated Giorgi isn't any stranger to controversy, nonetheless. The Italian has landed herself in scorching water on a number of different events on account of her on-court behaviour and likewise entered Australia by allegedly utilizing faux COVID-19 paperwork in 2022 for the Australian Open.

All-time tennis nice Martina Navratilova additionally weighed on the perceived lack of sportsmanship from the Italian. Navratilova later responded to Stubbs' tweet, saying: "Serves her right- Venus kicked her butt anyway!!! How disgusting from Giorgi if that is how it happened."

Williams will seem within the last-16 of the Birmgham basic on Wednesday, together with her opponent to be decided on Tuesday.