Serena Williams lost in the first round at Wimbledon on Tuesday, and she drew attention for something unusual on her face.
The tennis star was wearing black tape on her right cheek during the match.
Serena Williams is using KT Tape on her face at Wimbledon to help her sinuses https://t.co/SnZeVLXTiH
— Insider Sports (@SportsInsider) June 28, 2022
This is why Serena Williams has tape on her face at Wimbledon https://t.co/ZITyRsnzlu
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 28, 2022
The tape is believed to be aimed at combating Williams’ sinus problems.
During her return at Eastbourne last week, Serena was also using the tape on her face.
Serena in Eastbourne 👑#SerenaWilliams pic.twitter.com/ULRMDLEZ7T
— Chad (@CCSMOOTH13) June 21, 2022
Williams has dealt with sinus issues for much of her career, though wearing the tape is something newer for her.
“I’m a sinus sufferer. Playing tennis or pretty much doing anything every day is not easy when you have sinuses. You feel a lot of pressure, congestion and pain and training for grand slams…it’s not easy,” Williams said in 2007.
It’s unclear if the tape is aimed towards addressing sinus issues, but that is the current prevailing belief.
Williams lost to Harmony Tan in three sets during their first-round match on Tuesday. This marks her second straight first-round exit at Wimbledon.
