Legendary tennis champion Serena Williams is back on the court at Wimbledon 2022 after a long absence due to injury. It was previously thought the top 23-time Grand Slam winner might retire but the American star is back at the prestigious tournament.
The tennis champ, 40, has won the women's singles at the All England Club six times, the last time in 2016. Her return is one of the most anticipated early highlights of this year's tournament.
But eagle-eyed fans have noticed the athlete has been wearing black tape on her face during matches.
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The small strips of tape on Williams' cheek are medical tape designed to help relieve the 40-year-old's sinus problems, according to The Times. Williams wore the tape to help her performance when she reached the doubles semi-finals at an earlier tournament in Eastbourne.
The medical issue is something Williams confirmed back in 2007. Speaking to reporters at a campaign launch for sinus medications and to help share the awareness around it, the star said: "My secret's out. 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 from Grand Slams... it's not easy. It's not easy to play when you have all this pressure. The last thing I want to do is go out on a tennis court and play [sister] Venus and be tired. That's not fun at all, especially against her, she's so tough."
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