NEW YORK, NY, USA – For the second year in a row, 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams departs the US Open after coming up just short in the final against a young, determined opponent.
In a stunning display of power and composure, 19-year-old Bianca Andreescu halted Serena’s quest for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam trophy in straight sets – making herself Canada’s first Grand Slam champion in singles in the process.
With a bit of distance between her and her fourth consecutive defeat in a championship match, Serena admitted that she might be able to look back on these finals as a testament to her post-maternity will and strength.
Read more: ‘I’ve been dreaming of this moment’ – Andreescu ascends to US Open title after Serena stunner
But tonight, the frustration at finishing the tournament with another runner-up trophy is still too fresh.
“I feel like in 20 years, I definitely will be like, ‘Wow, that wasn’t so bad,’” Serena said in her post-match press conference. “It’s very hard right now in the moment to, like, take this and say, ‘It didn’t work out for you today,’
“It’s really hard right now to take that moment in and to say you did okay, because I don’t believe I did. I believe I could have played better. I believe I could have done more.
“I believe I could have just been more Serena today. I honestly don’t think Serena showed up. I have to kind of figure out how to get her to show up in Grand Slam finals.”
