You have to marvel at well she is playing considering there is such a huge difference in age against some of her opponents. 'Serena seemed to be in a happy place and I was thinking this is it - this is the time she is going to win her 24th,' Croft told BBC Radio 5 Live. Since her return, Williams has reached four Grand Slam finals but lost them all, including to Osaka at the 2018 US Open.įormer British number one Annabel Croft says Wimbledon, where Williams has won eight titles, is her best chance to equal Court's record. Her 23 Grand Slam titles is the most by any player in the Open Era, with 13 of Court's titles coming before the tour became fully professional. Williams has been aiming to equal Margaret Court's major record since her return from maternity leave in 2018. 'I am forever in debt and grateful to each and every single one of you.' 'Wimbledon is Williams' best chance' 'Your support, your cheers, I only wish I could have done better for you today. I am so honoured to be able to play in front of you all,' she wrote. 'Today was not ideal outcome or performance but it happens. Williams thanked her fans in a post on Instagram shortly after the match. Alerts: Get tennis news sent to your phone.I'm done,' she said, before leaving the room.

Williams became tearful when asked a further question about her unforced errors against Osaka. If I ever say farewell, I wouldn't tell anyone.' and I have absolutely nothing left to lose.She gave the crowd inside Rod Laver Arena a long wave goodbye with her hand over her heart, leading to questions over the 39-year-old's future. 'I don't have anything to prove,' Williams added after the match, '. Many experts consider her the most dominant player in tennis history.īut if she felt pressure tonight, she didn't show it. Williams has won 23 Grand Slam titles in a brilliant professional career that has spanned more than a quarter century. I need to give my best effort, because this could be it,'' she said.

'After I lost the second set, I thought, 'Oh my goodness. 'I'm loving this crowd,' Williams said afterwards. She struck the ball with fresh authority and outlasted Kontaveit in long rallies.

Kontaveit was striking winners left and right, while Williams began making more unforced errors.īut then the third set started, and Williams seemed to find a new gear. Williams' chances seemed to dim against the younger and favored Estonian after the second set, which Kontaveit won easily, 6-2. Tennis legend Serena Williams has upset second-seeded Anett Kontaveit, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-2 to keep her US Open title hopes alive in what may be her final tournament.

Serena williams tennis match today live