Serena Williams broke down in tears at her post-match press conference , declaring “I’m done” before walking out of the press room, visibly shaken by her defeat to Naomi Osaka in their Australian One semi-final clash.
“It was a big error day for me today,” the 39-year-old Williams said.
“The difference today was errors. Honestly, it was opportunities where I could have won. I could have been up five-love. I just made so many errors.
“I had so many opportunities, it was just, I made too many mistakes there and easy mistakes. Not like I was on the run or anything. They were just easy, easy mistakes.”
As she departed the court after the match she was given a stand ovation by fans, who were allowed back into Melbourne Park after a five-day covid lockdown.
And when asked if she would return next year to equal Margaret Court’s record, she said: “I don’t know, If I ever say farewell I wouldn’t tell anyone.
Then when asked by one journalist if it was just a bad day at the office, she replied: “I don’t know, Im done.”
She got up from her chair and left the room in tears.