Eight-time champion Roger Federer survived a huge scare in the first round at Wimbledon on Tuesday when opponent Adrian Mannarino retired due to an injury at the start of the decider fifth set. The scoreline read 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 3-6, 6-2 when the French Mannarino called it quits just a point into the fifth set.

Mannarino, celebrating his 33rd birthday, suffered a bad fall in the seventh game of the fourth set.

He was hardly able to move even after taking treatment from his trainer. Grimacing in pain, Mannarino retired as soon as the decider set went underway.

Federer said that Mannarino was the better player and could have won. “It’s awful and shows one shot can change the outcome of a match, season, career and I wish him all the best and hope we see him back quickly. He was the better player, he could have won, I got a bit lucky.” said the 39-year old. 

“That’s how it goes sometimes, you don’t get many walkovers and try not to have it happen to yourself.

“It’s a reminder how quickly it goes but I am obviously happy I can get another match here — I enjoyed myself today and it was great fun until the end.”

Federer fired 16 aces and 54 winners on Tuesday but will be concerned by committing 45 unforced errors.

He will now face either Richard Gasquet or Yuichi Sugita in the second round.

American legend Serena Williams’s dreams of winning an eighth Wimbledon singles title and equalling Margaret Court’s Grand Slam record of 24 ended in tears on Tuesday. Williams retired owing to an injury in her first round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus.