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MELBOURNE: Serena Williams broke down in tears and interrupted her post-match press conference after another failed attempt to equal Margaret Court’s Grand Slam record, calling her loss to Naomi Osaka “a big mistake day.”
The American veteran’s quest to reach a ninth Australian Open final and face Court’s 24 major singles titles ended in a 6-3, 6-4 semi-final by the third-seeded Japanese.
The 39-year-old Williams broke early for a 2-0 lead before Osaka staggered five games in a row to leave her in shock.
“The difference today was the mistakes. I made a lot of mistakes,” said the 23-time Grand Slam champion.
“Honestly, they were opportunities where I could have won. I could have been up 5-0. It was a big mistake day for me.”
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Pressed on what led her to make so many mistakes, tears began to flow as she told reporters, “I don’t know. I’m done,” before leaving.
In a power play clash, it was Osaka who had the upper hand, hitting 20 winners to Williams’ 12, while making three fewer unforced errors on 21.
Williams said he had been hitting well the entire tournament and had no explanation for the loss other than “too many mistakes, easy mistakes.”
Osaka’s victory left Williams still stranded at 23 Grand Slam crowns, one less than Court’s tally, with her last major title in Melbourne four years ago when she was pregnant.
Williams has lost four Slam finals since then and as he walked off the court he put his hand to his heart, almost as if saying goodbye.
When asked about it afterward, he suggested the gesture was more about acknowledging the crowd, who were allowed to return to the Rod Laver Arena after a quick five-day lockdown and gave the American an enthusiastic farewell.
“I don’t know. If I ever say goodbye, I wouldn’t tell anyone,” he said.
