Williams will have only two weeks to shake off the disappointment of her US Open semifinal defeat and resume her quest for the 24th Grand Slam title that equals the Roland Garros clay court record.
The great American has been a title behind Court’s all-time record for over three years, failing to win a major since clinching her 23rd place at the Australian Open in January 2017.
When a reporter asked her if she felt her chance to get past Court was slipping away, Williams was uncertain.
“I don’t know. I mean, it’s obviously disappointing,” Williams told reporters before confirming she will be participating in the French Open.
“At the same time I did what I could today.
“I feel like I’ve been close at other times and could have done better. Today I felt like I had given a lot. “
Many pundits have said Williams may be running out of time to win a Grand Slam again.
And it’s definitely not getting any easier for Williams, who will turn 39 one day before the main draw starts in Paris on its less rewarding surface where the American won her third and final title in 2015.
Asked how the losing streak in tournaments affects her morale as she strives to become the most successful player, Williams said, “I don’t know. I just … I don’t know. I haven’t actually thought about it. “
Williams looked set for a date with Naomi Osaka in the US Open final when she managed to get past the opening set with three stoppages from Azarenka.
“Then he continued to fight. She just changed and started playing better and better, ”Williams said.
“Maybe at some point I took off the gas pedal a little too much.
“I’ve made a lot more mistakes. I didn’t win much on second serve. I served well, but in this I did not dominate as I should have “.
Serena Williams congratulates Victoria Azarenka after the US Open semifinal. (Photo by Matthew Stockman / Getty Images)
Serena Williams shrugs leg injury
Williams was already struggling to keep up in a hectic semi-final when she stopped behind the baseline after a third set point and leaned over.
She held that pose for a while, then clung to her left ankle and asked for a coach.
As Williams was taking a medical timeout for a tape job, his latest bid for a 24th Grand Slam single title seemingly slipping away, Azarenka sat in a seat on the sidelines, eyes closed, calm and composed as can be.
After a delay, the action resumed and, while Williams increased the strength of his blows and the volume of his screams, it was Azarenka who clinched the win to return to a main championship final for the first time since 2013.
Azarenka was brilliant when she claimed her first win against Williams in 11 career slam fights between the two.
Williams said the leg problem wasn’t the reason he lost.
“I don’t think it had anything to do with that,” Williams said. “In the end, it didn’t affect my game at all.”
tennis resumed last month after a pandemic-forced hiatus." data-reactid="81">On Saturday, Azarenka will face Osaka for the championship in a bout between two-time top champions who have both been ranked first in the past and have been by far the top two players since tennis resumed last month after a forced break from a pandemic. .
Azarenka has won 11 games in a row, while the Osaka streak is at 10 after her 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 6-3 win over Jennifer Brady in a violent confrontation filled with quick serves and strong forehands.
