‘It’s unprofessional - it’s not cool’: Serena Williams shocked at Australian Open
China’s Wang Qiang takes advantage of American’s mistakes in Melbourne
The fading powers of Serena Williams were brutally exposed by China’s Wang Qiang in the third round of the Australian Open this morning as the American was beaten 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5.
Williams, who has won this tournament seven times, suffered her earliest exit from the Australian Open in 14 years, as she was outplayed by the 27th seed.
The last time the pair met in a major was last year’s US Open quarter-final and Williams thrashed Qiang 6-1, 6-0 in 44 cruel minutes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“After the second set I was a little bit confused, but my mind always said I had to focus on the court, on every point and trust myself,” said Wang, who will play Tunisian Ons Jabeur in the fourth round.
Age is a cruel opponent
The defeat is a bitter reminder to Williams that age is a merciless opponent and the 38-year-old’s quest to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 grand slam titles looks to be beyond her diminishing powers.
It’s now three years since her last grand slam triumph - the 2017 Australian Open - and the prospects of her adding another seem remote.
The next chance will be in Paris in May, but of the four grand slam venues the French Open is her least successful with only three titles, the most recent in 2015.
There was an era when Williams dominated Wimbledon, winning five titles between 2009 and 2016, but grass is a surface best suited to youthful athleticism.
Then there’s the US Open in September - the month Williams turns 39 - but 2014 was the last time she triumphed at Flushing Meadows.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Not cool
“I didn’t return like Serena,” Williams said when asked to assess why she suffered what the media is calling a shock defeat.
“Honestly, if we were just honest with ourselves, I lost that match. I can’t play like that. I literally can’t do that again. It’s unprofessional. It’s not cool.”
Informed by the press that she had made 56 errors, compared to Wang’s 20, Williams muttered: “I’m better than that.”
Twitter reactions to Serena’s defeat
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 3, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Serena Williams and her ‘evolution’ away from tennis
Why Everyone’s Talking About The 23-time grand slam champion is set to retire after the US Open
By Mike Starling Published
-
What has Serena Williams been doing?
Why Everyone’s Talking About The tennis great made a surprise return to the court this week after a year away
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Novak Djokovic’s next big battle: fighting deportation from Australia
feature Serb’s visa is cancelled and his appeal has been adjourned until Monday
By Mike Starling Published
-
Australian Open 2020: emotional Novak Djokovic urges everyone to ‘stick together’
In Depth Serbian returns to world No.1 after securing his 17th grand slam title
By The Week Staff Published
-
Australian Open women’s final: Sofia Kenin’s dream comes true in Melbourne
In Depth American wins her first grand slam after beating Spain’s Garbine Muguruza
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Thiem to face Djokovic in the Australian Open final and forget Brexit Day, it’s transfer deadline day
Daily Briefing Ten things from the world of sport on Friday 31 January
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Australian Open 2020 women’s final: Sofia Kenin vs. Garbine Muguruza preview, profiles and predictions
The Week Recommends There will be a first-time winner of the Melbourne grand slam
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Sport shorts: Roger Federer’s ski trip is delayed and LeBron James promises to continue Kobe Bryant’s legacy
Daily Briefing Ten things from the world of sport on Tuesday 28 January
By The Week Staff Published