LONDON, July 5: Former Wimbledon champion Serena Williams has hit back at claims that she exaggerated her calf injury during her dramatic fourth-round victory over Daniela Hantuchova on Monday.

The American seventh seed beat the Slovak despite collapsing to the ground in agony at 5-5 in the second set with a cramp in her left calf muscle.

After lengthy treatment and two-hour rain break she returned in leggings to power to a 6-2, 6-7, 6-2 victory.

She also attracted further criticism for asking for toilet breaks throughout the third set.

Michael Stich, who won his only Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 1991, said on the BBC that Williams was ‘overreacting’ but on Wednesday she took the chance to fire a shot back in his direction.

“I don't really read the press,” the eight-time Grand Slam champion told reporters. “I do know the pain I was in. I mean, my career is actually more stellar than Michael Stich's, so he can say whatever he pleases.

“I'm really excited to say that because I have never experienced that much pain. I've never been over-dramatic in my whole career. I've always been a fighter and I've always fought through things my whole life.

“I've never taken a shot at him. If I were in his position to hit on, to make fun of someone in my position, I would never say that.”

Meanwhile, Former champions Venus and Serena Williams pulled out of the women's doubles on Wednesday.

“I just withdrew from the doubles,” Serena said. “I've sprained my thumb and can't really hit backhands.”

The duo had been scheduled to play Spanish eighth seeds Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual in the second round.—Reuters