( CNN ) -- In what was a bizarre , disturbing scene at Wimbledon , Serena Williams withdrew from her doubles match with sister Venus Williams on Tuesday due to a viral illness . `` I thought I could rally this morning , because I really wanted to compete , but this bug just got the best of me , '' Serena Williams said in a written statement . The Women 's Tennis Association said in a release that Serena Williams , a five-time Wimbledon champion at doubles , had a viral illness . During warmups Tuesday , Williams stumbled around the court and looked disoriented . She had trouble catching balls thrown to her . Following the warmup , a tournament doctor examined her on the bench , at one point taking her blood pressure . During the 11-minute break , Williams put her head in her hands and appeared to cry . She decided to try to play , but it was tough to watch . At one point , Williams missed on a shot . When it was her turn to serve , it was an entire game of uncharacteristically wild double faults . At that point , the Williams sisters retired from the match , down 3-0 . `` Unfortunately Serena has been feeling unwell for the past few days and she just could n't play to her potential today , '' Venus Williams said . `` I 'm really proud of her for trying . '' Tennis analyst Pam Shriver tweeted that no one she talked to could remember someone so clearly out of it on the court . Germany 's Kristina Barrois and Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland advanced to the third round with the default . Both Williams sisters have been eliminated from singles ' competition .
Serena Williams looked disoriented , she n't even serve . She said ' this illness ' makes it difficult to play . She 's been ill for months , " Venus Williams says . The Williams sisters have won three doubles titles at Wimbledon .