Serena's temper takes toll on racquets

Serena Williams today revealed she smashes around five rackets a week in fits of rage. The two-time Wimbledon winner broke one in frustration at her faltering form - and a line-call - after losing a first set tie-break against world No104 Angela Haynes.

Williams was warned by the umpire and despite eventually winning the first-round match in three sets, was a long way off her best. She said: "You have to be really strong to break a racket on grass. I have only broken two this week, which is good for me.

Usually [it is] five because I have a really short temper, but it makes the game exciting. I had a major let down because I felt I should have won the tie-break and I felt she hit a ball that was clearly out on one of my set points that no one called. I was so angry that I had to go to a third set."

Williams gave the broken racket to a fan, which has become a common occurrence over the last few years. Given the wildness of some of Williams' shots it could happen a few more times before she leaves Wimbledon.

The fact that she has just spend eight weeks nursing an ankle injury was obvious and her fitness and concentration will have to improve if she is to make an impact on the tournament.

She said: "I felt really rusty out there, kind of like I was feeling my way around.

"I made errors that should not have been made but it was about getting back into the rhythm of things."