"Abolish Wimbledon ASAP"; "Wish Serena Williams, Venus Williams could come back" - Fans react to the duo's first absence at the tournament since 1996

Tennis fans on the internet have expressed their disappointment over both Serena Williams and her elder sister Venus Williams not participating in the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. The competition begins on Monday, July 1, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London.

Serena and Venus have enjoyed commendable success at Wimbledon during their respective careers. Among the two, Venus debuted at the London Major in 1997 and opened her account first by claiming the women's singles championship in 2000. She defeated Lindsay Davenport in the final that year to win her first Grand Slam trophy.

She triumphed on Centre Court four more times in 2001, 2005, 2007, and 2008. Serena, on the other hand, registered her name on the winner's board by overcoming the elder sister in the 2002 final. She won the singles trophy on six more occasions in 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2016.

With Serena Williams having walked away from professional tennis in 2022 and Venus Williams not being awarded the wildcard entry to the women's singles draw, the 2024 Wimbledon Championships won't feature the two in any category for the first time since 1996.

Fans on X (formerly Twitter) were bitterly disappointed by the William Sisters' absence as one of them went as far as demanding discontinuation of the Championships.

"Like, what’s even the point of keeping this tournament now? Abolish Wimbledon ASAP!! RIP Wimbledon (1996-2023)," the fan wrote.

Another fan wished for Serena and Venus to pair up for a shot at the Wimbledon doubles title, which they have won six times.

"Wish they [Serena Williams and Venus Williams] could come back & play doubles one last time," the fan stated.

Here are a few more reactions from X:

"Their time has passed but Williams Sisters legacy live on forever. 12 Wimbledon singles titles plus multiple slam doubles titles is incredible," a fan wrote.

"Amazing tennis royalty- thank you to them and their father and Mommy," a fan commented.

"So hard to believe! It's the end of an era. The Williams Sisters changed the face of the game and were always so much fun to watch. Legends," a fan remarked.

"The best that ever played the game," a fan wrote.

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Serena Williams and Venus Williams have played against each other in four finals at Wimbledon

Serena Williams (L) and Venus Williams. (Getty)

Serena Williams and Venus Williams have faced each other 31 times on the court with the former holding a 19-12 lead in the head-to-head. Out of the 31 duels, six, including four finals, have been played at Wimbledon.

The sisters came face-to-face at the Grasscourt Major for the first time in the 2000 semifinals where Venus emerged victorious 6-2, 7-6(3). The two then battled in the 2002 title clash and the younger one prevailed 7-6(4), 6-3 before conquering Venus 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 the following year in the summit clash again.

Venus avenged the losses by securing a 7-5, 6-4 victory over the other in the 2008 final but the 23-time Grand Slam champion hit back with a 7-6(3), 6-2 win in a summit clash rematch the following year. The duo's final meeting at Wimbledon was a Round-of-16 matchup in 2015 when Serena Williams closed it at 6-4, 6-3.