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Serena Williams plans to dust himself off after the disappointment of another failed attempt at a record 24 individual Grand Slam titles and continue his chase in Roland Garros this month.
Williams crashed in the US Open semifinals on Thursday, squandering a set advantage to lose in close three sets to former world number Victoria Azarenka.
“It’s obviously disappointing, but at the same time I did what I could today,” Williams told reporters.
“It feels like other times I was close and I could have done better and today I felt like I gave a lot,” he added.
It’s been more than three years since Williams won her 23rd singles tennis title at the 2017 Australian Open, when she was already pregnant with her daughter Olympia.
The 38-year-old has been close ever since, reaching four major finals only to come out empty-handed, and he needs one more to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24.
Many commenters suggested that this week at Flushing Meadows presented him with his best shot due to a depleted field caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
A group of top players, including world number one Ashleigh Barty, world number two Simona Halep and Canadian Bianca Andreescu, who stunned Williams in last year’s final, skipped the event due to coronavirus concerns. or injuries.
A tournament victory for Williams would have also seen her part ways with Chris Evert, by six titles, as the most decorated US Open champion in the modern era for women.
But Williams fell at the penultimate hurdle to a rejuvenated Azarenka who bounced back from a 6-1 loss in the first set to take the next two 6-3, 6-3.
It was the first time Williams lost to Azarenka in nearly a dozen Grand Slam matches.
Williams’ presence at the rescheduled French Open, which begins Sept. 21, had been in doubt after she said earlier this week that she was undecided about whether to play.
Williams, who has a history of serious lung problems, said he wanted to speak to organizers about safety protocols after they said some spectators would be present.
After the French Open tournament director announced that all players will be accommodated in two designated hotels “without exception,” Williams added that he looked forward to staying at his Paris apartment.
When asked on Thursday night if he would compete for a third title at Roland Garros, he replied: “Yes, I mean, I am definitely going to Paris.”
