Serena Williams follows Djokovic, leaving the Olympics empty-handed

The American was eliminated after losing 6-4, 6-3 to world number 20 Elina Svitolina in the third round of the women's singles.

Serena Williams and her sister Venus lost to Czech pair Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova in the first round of the women's doubles. The defeat to Svitolina meant the 34-year-old tennis player left the Olympics empty-handed for the first time in four times participating in the biggest sporting event on the planet.

Serena unexpectedly stopped in the third round of the women's singles at the 2016 Olympics. Photo: Reuters.

Arriving in Rio de Janeiro determined to become the first tennis player to successfully defend an Olympic gold medal, Serena struggled from the start against the cautious play of Elina Svitolina. The Ukrainian opponent was easily defeated by her in the fourth round of Roland Garros this year with a score of 1-6, 1-6.

Svitolina broke Serena in the first set, which is not unusual for Serena this year. However, the world number one could not come back with her superior strength and determination in decisive moments as she usually does.

Serena was broken by Svitolina at the start of the second set but then broke back to level the score at 3-3. However, the turning point came in the seventh game when the defending champion made five double faults. It can be said that even Svitolina did not understand what was happening when she was "given" a break point in this game.

Serena waves to the audience as Svitolina looks on. Photo: Reuters.

In the ninth game, another double fault from Serena Williams gave Elina Svitolina three match-winning points. Serena saved two match points but conceded defeat after a forehand that went too long.

Before Serena was eliminated, world number one male tennis player Novak Djokovic also had to say goodbye to his Olympic gold dream in tears when he was eliminated in the first round of the men's singles and the second round of the men's doubles.

Serena's departure means that only Angelique Kerber and Madison Keys are the world's top eight players still competing in the women's singles quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, if counting the men's tournament, only Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray are the two remaining popular stars in tennis after Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams were absent for various reasons.

According to VNE