Serena Williams likens Aussie Open loss to ‘dating a guy you know sucks’

No. 3 Osaka defeated No. 10 Serena Williams in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, in the 2021 Australian Open semifinals on Wednesday at Rod Laver Arena. That means Williams remains one Grand Slam championship shy of Margaret Court’s record of 24.

Despite the undefeated mark in this match, Osaka was immediately under pressure when Williams broke the first game and had a break point to go up 3-0 in the opening set.

However, the two-time U.S. Open winner quickly settled in and won five straight games as she battled back and seized control in the early going.

Williams had looked her sharpest in years at the tournament but 24 unforced errors cost her against Osaka, who also beat her in the 2018 US Open final.

“The difference was errors,” Williams said in her news conference. “Honestly, there was opportunities where I could have won. I could have been up 5-Love. I just made so many errors.

“I don’t think that helps mentally when you know the match is over and you did not win the match, and now your legs are even more tired,” Williams said.

“I put myself in a bad situation. It’s like dating a guy that you know sucks.”

Williams won her last major title in 2017 at Melbourne Park before taking a break from the sport to give birth to daughter Alexis Olympia, and has lost four major finals since returning to tennis in 2018.