* YOU BEEN SNAP * THATS MY GIRL" Serena's first round upset: Williams breaks down after opening victory at Wimbledon"

*MKILETEWA HAPA NA FLORA LYIMO DESIGNER*
After battling back from a career-threatening injury, Serena Williams today proved at Wimbledon that she is still a force to be reckoned with.

And after a year away from the game the manner of the victory proved too much for the American.

The four-time winner broke down in tears following her straight sets victory over French player Aravane Rezai, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

Overcome: Serena Williams showed her emotions today after he first round victory by burying her head in a towel before openly crying as she left Centre Court"

All too much: Miss Williams was upset because she has been out of the game for year following a severe foot injury and suffering from blood clots on her lungs"
After serving the match winning ace she was overcome with emotion and buried her head in a towel as she sat on a courtside chair.
She then openly wept as she left Centre Court following her win.

Speaking following her victory she said: 'It definitely hit me at the end of the match. I'm not a cryer. I just expected to walk off.

'It was so emotional for me because throughout the last 12 months, I've been through a lot of things that's not normal, things you guys don't even know about.

Watching on: The large crowd sees Serena rifle down another serve during the match"

Hand raised in victory: Serena forces a smile seconds after confirming her win and before the emotion got too much"

'It's just been a long, arduous road. To stand up still is pretty awesome.

'I wasn't necessarily expecting to come to Wimbledon this year. Making it and winning was pretty cool.'

It has been a torrid year for the 29-year-old who has suffered a number of injury setbacks.

Last July she stepped on a broken glass in a restaurant severely injuring her foot, requiring 18 stitches.

The foot then needed surgery which ended her 2010 season and saw her lose her crown as world number one.

In action: Serena Williams plays a forehand during her two sets to one victory over French player Aravane Rezai"

Knocked out: Aravane Rezai reaches for a shot during the defeat to Williams on Wimbledon's Centre Court"

Williams, who has also won the Australian Open five times and the U.S. Open on three occasions, was then diagnosed with a blood clot on her lungs
Last week during an interview she said that the clots had left her 'on her deathbed'.

Fortunately she has now made a full recovery and despite slipping to 26th in the world, was seeded seven for Wimbledon.

Serena will now play Romanian Simona Halep in round two of the tournament.