Former world No.1 Serena Williams has said she played ‘her worst match of the tournament’ after suffering a straight sets loss to Bianca Andreescu in the final of the US Open.
The 23-time grand slam champion struggled to find her range through the Saturday night showdown as she dropped her serve six times in the match. Unable to find a solution to counteract her opponent’s solid play, the American produced a costly nine double faults and 33 unforced errors.
“I thought she brought more intensity than versatility. I didn’t give her too much opportunity to have versatility.” Williams said of the new US Open champion.
“I love Bianca. I think she’s a great girl. But I think this was the worst match I’ve played all tournament.’
“It’s hard to know that you could do better. It’s just taking it, whatever. I don’t even know what to say.”
One of the most frustrating areas of her game was the serve. Something that is usually a reliable tactic for the American. In the final, Williams only managed to get 44% of her first serves in. Meanwhile, on her second serve she only won 13 out of 43 points.
“That was obviously on my mind, like how do I play at a level like this in a final? Again, I think Bianca obviously played well. I think her returns make me play better and puts pressure on my serve. At the same time it’s inexcusable for me to play at that level.”
The 37-year-old remains without a title of any kind since becoming a mother in September 2017. Williams has contested the final in four out of the past six grand slams, but has lost all of them in straight sets. Previously doing so against Angelique Kerber at Wimbledon 2018, Naomi Osaka at the US Open last year and Simona Halep at this year’s Wimbledon Championships. She is trying to draw level with Margaret Court for most major singles titles ever won by a player.
“I’m not necessarily chasing a record. I’m just trying to win Grand Slams.” She explained. “It’s definitely frustrating. But for the most part I just am still here. I’m still doing what I can do.”
During the post-match press conference, Williams’ mood turned frosty after being asked a series of questions about her reaction to the loss. One reporter said her response ‘seems genuine.’ Last year the women’s final in Flushing Meadows was overshadowed by her heated confrontation with umpire Carlos Ramos. Who she called a ‘liar’ and a ‘cheat’ for issuing her with a warning for coaching.
Reporter: “Your resolve and congratulations seemed genuine. Are these losses starting to have less impact on you?”
Williams: “I don’t know how to answer that.”
Reporter: “You congratulated your opponent.”
Williams: “I always congratulate my opponent, yeah.”
Reporter: “Last year you were excusing more yourself than today or not?”
Williams: “I don’t understand that question. Excusing more myself? Anyway, thank you.”
Williams has now played in 33 grand slam finals. She will drop one place to ninth in the WTA rankings when they are updated on Monday. Meanwhile, Andreescu will rise to fifth.
