Serena Williams walked out of her put up-match press convention in tears after shedding to Naomi Osaka in the Australian Commence semifinals on Thursday.
Williams fell to Osaka in straight sets, 6–3, 6–4, failing in a single other likelihood to tie Margaret Court docket’s myth of 24 Sizable Slam singles titles.
As she exited the court, Williams gave the team an emotional goodbye amid a standing ovation and positioned her give up her heart. The gesture precipitated many to shock if she had comely played her final match on the Australian Commence and desired to illustrate the followers in Melbourne what they mean to her.
When asked on the records convention if the gesture used to be a plan of claiming farewell, Williams spoke back, “I make no longer know. If I ever bid farewell, I would maybe maybe no longer dispute anybody.”
Williams used to be subsequent asked what she belief led to her 24 unforced errors however struggled to answer to the request.
“I make no longer know. … I’m done,” she mentioned, leaving the interview in tears.
Williams, 39, did no longer return to finish the records convention and later took to Instagram to manage along with her followers.
“Melbourne and my Australian followers- This day used to be no longer a great result or efficiency however it with out a doubt occurs… I am so honored with a plan to play in front of you all,” Williams wrote. “Your give a make a selection to -your cheers, I handiest wish I will be able to even indulge in done higher for you on the present time. I am without a waste in sight in debt and grateful to every and each even handed one of you. I fancy you. I fancy you. I fancy you. I esteem you.”
This year marked the vital time Williams had reached the semifinals in Melbourne since she won the 2017 Australian Commence. Williams has lost four Sizable Slam finals since.
Many felt this match used to be Williams’s last most productive likelihood to tie Court docket’s myth. Nevertheless, it wasn’t ample to terminate Osaka, the enviornment’s No. 3-ranked player, who now has a change for make a selection her fourth Sizable Slam title at age 23.
