Serena Williams retires from Indian Wells match after 'breathing heavily' while trailing to Garbine Muguruza

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Serena Williams retired from the BNP Paribas Open while trailing Spain's Garbine Muguruza 6-3 1-0 at Indian Wells on Sunday.

The former world number one walked to the chair after the first game of the second set and sat down, breathing heavily. After a discussion with supervisor Donna Kelso, the American retired.

Williams, 37, had shown signs of fatigue during the first set and after it was completed she called for a trainer and following a lengthy conversation returned to the court.

Serena Williams retired from the BNP Paribas Open while trailing to Spain's Garbine Muguruza

Williams walked to the chair after the first game of the second set and sat down

She retired after losing the first game.

Williams had taken a 3-0 lead in the first set before losing the next seven games.

Williams, who has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, gave birth to a daughter in 2017 and returned to play last year.

She is currently ranked 10th in the world. 

She and supervisor Donna Kelso had a discussion and Williams retired whilst a set down