Serena Williams only lost three first-round matches at Grand Slams…
The 23-time major champion didn’t suffer many early exits during her illustrious career.
Her final two first-round defeats came as she approached retirement, losing early at Wimbledon in 2021 and 2022.
She did, however, lose one first-round Grand Slam match in her prime, as Williams exited the French Open in 2012.
The American legend was upset by a home favorite who never reached the WTA top 10.
Virginie Razzano was the first player to knock Serena Williams out in the first round of a Grand Slam
Williams travelled to Paris in 2012 looking to win her first Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2010.
Competing as the number-five seed, Williams met Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano in the first round.
Is Serena Williams the greatest tennis player of all time?
Williams made a strong enough start, winning the first set 6-4, but her opponent wasn’t prepared to go down without a fight.
Razzano pushed Williams all the way in the second, forcing a tiebreaker in the French capital.
There, Williams came two points away from victory when she led 5-1 in the tiebreaker, but couldn’t quite get over the line.
Razzano won six points in a row to clinch the second set, as both players prepared for a decider.
She carried the momentum forward, securing an early break and holding on to the advantage.
Razzano won 4-6, 7-6, 6-3, becoming the first woman to knock Williams out in the first round of a Grand Slam tournament.
Unfortunately for Razzano, she couldn’t capitalise on her big win, as she lost in the second round to Arantxa Rus in straight sets.
Williams, on the other hand, bounced back from her shock defeat in impressive fashion, winning the following two Grand Slam events, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Would you be excited to watch Serena Williams in 2026?
The pair never met again on the WTA Tour, but what happened to Razzano after the 2012 French Open?
Virginie Razzano never reached the WTA top 10
Razzano reached her career-high ranking of 16th, three years before her win over Williams at Roland Garros.
The mid to late 2000s were the best years of the Frenchwoman’s career, as she won her two WTA titles.
Virginie Razzano’s record in WTA finals
| Final | Surface | Opponent | Result | Score |
| 2004 Tashkent Open (Uzbekistan) | Hard | Nicole Vaidisova (Czechia) | LOSS | 7-5, 3-6, 2-6 |
| 2007 Forest Hill Classic (USA) | Hard | Gisela Dulko (Argentina) | LOSS | 2-6, 2-6 |
| 2007 Guangzhou International (China) | Hard | Tzipora Obziler (Israel) | WIN | 6-0, 6-3 |
| 2007 Japan Women’s Open (Japan) | Hard | Venus Williams (USA) | WIN | 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 |
| 2009 Dubai Tennis Championships (UAE) | Hard | Venus Williams (USA) | LOSS | 4-6, 2-6 |
| 2009 Eastbourne International (UK) | Grass | Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) | LOSS | 6-7, 5-7 |
Razzano’s greatest title triumph came in 2007, when she beat Williams’ sister, Venus Williams in Tokyo.
Her time competing for titles was short-lived, however, as Razzano didn’t return to a championship match after 2009.
She retired in December 2018, having failed to qualify for the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam (singles) or break into the top 10.
Razzano will, however, be remembered for her stunning upset win 13 years ago, taking down arguably the greatest player of all time in a French Open classic.
Was the French Open Serena Williams’ worst Grand Slam?
Williams completed multiple ‘Career Grand Slams’, but that’s not to say she performed equally well at all four tournaments.
The 44-year-old’s win % at Roland Garros was lower than it was at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.
Serena Williams’ Grand Slam record
| Grand Slam | Titles | Win-Loss record | Win % |
| Australian Open | 7 | 92-13 | 88% |
| French Open | 3 | 69-14 | 83% |
| Wimbledon | 7 | 98-14 | 88% |
| US Open | 6 | 108-15 | 88% |
Perhaps Williams will have a chance to improve upon her record if she does choose to make a return to tennis…
The 2026 French Open is scheduled to begin on May 24.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
