Heading into 2019, Serena Williams was still searching for an elusive 24th Grand Slam singles title.
Williams, who had [and still has] 23 Grand Slam singles titles to her name, was trying to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 title triumphs.
In 2018, Williams had come mightily close to equalling Court: she reached the Wimbledon and US Open finals, but lost on both occasions.
In July 2019, Williams again made the Wimbledon Ladies Singles final. Again, she lost – this time to Simona Halep, 6-2, 6-2.
Two months later in New York, Williams engineered another opportunity after defeating Elina Svitolina in the US Open semi-finals.
Serena Williams described her performance in the 2019 US Open final ‘inexcusable’
Serena was the heavy favourite heading into the 2019 US Open final against 19-year-old Canadian star Bianca Andreescu.
It seemed as if the stars had aligned for Williams: she faced a player who had never featured in a Grand Slam final previously.
Despite her inexperience on the big stage, Andreescu upset the odds, defeating Serena 6-3, 7-5.
After the final, Serena reflected on her performance, labelling her level as ‘inexcusable.’
“I thought [Andreescu] brought more intensity than versatility,” Williams said.
“I didn’t give her too much opportunity to have versatility.
“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.
“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.”
“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.”
Spare just three minutes to take on this A to Z tennis trivia challenge! How many did you get right?
Serena’s former coach has weighed in on whether the American could make a return to tennis in 2026, following her name being added to the ITIA drug-testing pool.
Serena did not reach another Grand Slam final
A year after the 2019 US Open final, Serena found herself back in the semi-finals in New York. The American faced Victoria Azarenka, a two-time Grand Slam singles champion.
Serena started strongly, winning the first set 6-1. However, the Belarusian fought back, winning the next two sets 6-3, 6-3.
The following year, Serena made the Australian Open semi-finals, where she faced Naomi Osaka. The Japanese star, who had won the US Open the previous year, defeated Serena 6-3, 6-4 before going on to win the title.
Osaka, who has won four major titles, defeated 22nd seed Jennifer Brady in the final.
