MELBOURNE (Australia): Serena Williams was knocked out of the Australian Open in the semifinals by Naomi Osaka on Thursday which also ended her latest bid to match Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.
The veteran American’s dream of a ninth Australian Open final was crushed by Osaka, who 6-3, 6-4.
“The difference today was errors. I made so many errors,” said Serena. “Honestly, it was opportunities where I could have won. I could have been up 5-0. It was a big error day for me.”
Pressed on what caused her to make so many mistakes, the 23-time Grand Slam champion said: “I don’t know. I’m done,” before walking out.
Osaka was the better of the two, hitting 20 winners to Serena’s 12.
Serena, 39, said she had been hitting well all tournament but committed “too many mistakes there, easy mistakes”.
Serena is now stranded on 23 Grand Slam crowns, one short of Court’s tally, with her last major title coming in Melbourne four years ago when she was pregnant.
The American has lost four Slam finals since and as she walked off court put her hand over her heart, almost as if saying farewell.
“I don’t know. If I ever say farewell, I wouldn’t tell anyone,” she said.
