Serena Williams quest for a record equaling 24 grand slam title at 2021 Australian open ended in tears when she broke down during the post-match conference.
Following a 6-3 6-4 defeat to Naomi Osaka in the semi-finals on Thursday.
Williams who won her last major title in 2017 at Melbourne park before she took a break from the sport to give birth to her daughter Alexis Olympia, has lost four major finals since returning to tennis in 2018.
The first defeat in the final was against Naomi Osaka in the 2018 U.S open final
The 39-year-old, who is one grand slam short of Margaret court’s record, walked off rod laver arena to a standing ovation on Thursday, pausing for a moment to put her hand on her heart and wave to the crowd.
Also Read: Nadal crashes out of Australia Open 2021
Williams had looked her sharpest in years at the tournament but 24 unforced errors cost her defeat to Osaka, who also beat her in the 2018 U.S open final.
Naomi will now face Jennifer Brady of the United States of America in Saturday’s final.
Brady defeated Karolina Muchova 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
