… As US flag blown down

LONDON (AFP) – As the newly-crowned Olympic singles gold medallist, Serena Williams was watching proudly as the American flag was raised to the roof of Centre Court on Saturday.

Then mother nature took a hand to lend a bizarre twist to the prize-giving ceremony at Wimbledon.

Williams, who crushed Russia’s Maria Sharapova 6-0, 6-1 in the women’s final on Saturday, dissolved into giggles on the medal podium as a strong gust of wind blew the famous stars and stripes flag off its metal pole and into the crowd below.

With the flags of Sharapova’s Russia and Belarus — for bronze medallist Victoria Azarenka — still flying proudly, Serena turned to joke with Sharapova as the American national anthem played on in the background.

Women’s Singles Tennis winner Serena Williams of the United States poses with her gold medal on Day 8 at Wimbledon.Photo:London2012

A member of staff retrieved the flag, while another carried it around with Serena as she, Sharapova and Azarenka posed for photo