Serena Williams bade a tearful farewell to the Australian Open amid questions about whether she may have played at the tournament for the last time.
Williams gave the crowd inside the Rod Laver Arena a long wave goodbye with her hand on her heart following her 6-3 6-4 semi-final defeat by Naomi Osaka.
The gesture prompted speculation about whether the 39-year-old would ever be back competing at Melbourne Park, where she has won the title seven times.
In her post-match press conference, Williams, who had never previously lost a semi-final in Melbourne, responded: âI donât know. If I ever say farewell, I wouldnât tell anyone. SoâŠâ
Williams then became tearful during the next question, a relatively mundane enquiry about her unforced errors during the match, and said: âI donât know. Iâm done,â before leaving the room.
Williams once again came up short in her 11th attempt to move level with Margaret Courtâs record haul of 24 grand slam singles titles, and it is now a year-and-a-half since she made a final.
Speaking on Eurosport, her old rival Justine Henin said: âI think she was better 10 years ago. Also the impact she had on the other players, we were really scared to play Serena. She was impressive, she was winning a lot.
âThe determination â I donât say she doesnât have the same motivation but her life also has changed. Physically she was also probably at a better level.
âSheâs 39, itâs amazing what sheâs able to do, physically, mentally, but the game also has changed, itâs getting faster and faster and all the players know they can beat Serena, sheâs going to be more pushed, and this is whatâs the hardest for her.â
Japanese third seed Osaka, the champion in 2019, overcame a nervous start in front of a limited crowd, let back in after Victoriaâs coronavirus lockdown was lifted.
From 2-0 down she won eight out of the next nine games before ultimately wrapping up victory in an hour and 15 minutes.
Osaka said on court: âI was really nervous and scared in the beginning but I eased my way into it.
âIt was about having fun and it was the first day having a crowd for a while. Itâs an honour to play her and I didnât want to go out really bad so I just tried my best.
âI was a little kid watching her play so coming up against her on the court for me is a dream.â
Osaka has maintained her huge admiration and respect for Williams despite the tumult of their first slam meeting at the US Open in 2018 and, asked about their matches in the context of the Americanâs age, the 23-year-old said: âItâs kind of sad when you say it like that because, for me, I want her to play forever.â
Osaka will be looking to maintain her record of never having lost a grand slam final when she takes on American Jennifer Brady on Saturday.
The third seed, who has not lost a match for more than a year, said: âI have this mentality that people donât remember the runners-up. I think I fight the hardest in the finals. I think thatâs where you sort of set yourself apart.
âWhen I was younger, I guess two years ago or something, I felt like my goal was to make history, to somehow at least have one thing that I was able to do.
âI would say I wanted to be the first Japanese person to win a slam. I think that was my goal. Then there was more things to do. So for me right now, of course itâs nice to see your name on a trophy or your name on a wall. But I think bigger than that, I feel like Iâm playing with a different purpose for this trip.â
Brady, ranked 24, will be playing in her first slam final after beating Czech Karolina Muchova 6-4 3-6 6-4.
There was late drama when Brady thought she had taken her second match point, dropping to her knees only to realise her shot was out. She had to save three break points before finally clinching her fifth opportunity and falling to the court.
The 25-year-old said: âI canât feel my legs. My legs are shaking, my heart is racing.â
Brady and Osaka played one of the best matches of 2020 in the US Open semi-finals.
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