8 provoking photos: Serena Williams spends day with an unidentified man on the beach

Serena Williams was forced to drop out of Wimbledon after sustain injury, but the tennis star seems have fully recovered as she holidays with friends. The 40-year-old bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles crown ended in tears at Wimbledon as an ankle injury forced her out of her.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion looks fine, sweet and sexy once she wore a bikini on holidays in Croatia. However, Serena seems to have put the incident behind her with a trip to Pula, Croatia. The American tennis player was seen arriving back at her private villa with her friend and coach Partrick Mouratoglou and other pals while wearing a skimpy bikini.

‘I am heartbroken I’m not able to continue in the tournament,’ Serena said in a statement. ‘I thought I could rally this morning, because I really wanted to compete, but this bug just got the best of me.’ The Michigan-native was also seen visiting a candy store in Novigrad on Friday. And she didn’t just eye the sweet treats. Serena was spotted with a small white bag of goodies to-go, as she explored the town with her poses.

Warm: Serena lays out in the sun during her holiday in sun-drenched Croatia

Serena Williams shows off bikini body during Croatian holiday

Serena Williams was spotted hitting the practice courts in Croatia last week but the trip wasn’t all about work. Serena went on a social media spree over the weekend posting photos and video of her Croatian vacation, which included bikini-wearing, some snorkeling and acrobatic ice cream eating:

We always knew Serena Williams was a winner on the tennis court, but in her latest cover shoot for Fitness magazine, the sporty star proves she’s on top of her game in more ways than one.

Serena Williams having fun during holiday

The accomplished athlete, who also runs, bikes, dances and practices yoga to stay in shape, stripped down for a beach photo shoot for the magazine looking drop dead gorgeous.

Serena Williams looks fit again as she wears bikini in Croatia

Williams modeled skimpy cutout swimsuits for the editorial spread, flaunting her strong athleticism and killer curves.

“When I was young I thought I should be built more like an athlete—long and lean—not with a womanly figure.

But then people my age started coming up to me and saying, ‘I love you because of the way you look.’ That was really motivating,” she said in the interview.

Serena shows off body vacationing in Croatia

“So I learned to be proud of my curves and embrace my large boobs. It’s all about loving who you are and realizing that you’re beautiful.”