MELBOURNE, Australia – Serena Williams showed pure class after losing to Angelique Kerber in Saturday night’s final. She smiled for the cameras. She hugged Kerber. She talked about being happy for the new champion.
It was an unexpected loss, but these things happen. In her news conference, she asked that everyone stop assuming she’s perfect.
“I think I did the best I could today. Would I give my performance an A? No. But this is all I could produce today,” the 21-time Grand Slam champion said to the media.
“Every time I walk in this room I’m expected to win. I’m not a robot. I do the best that I can. I try to win every point but realistically I can’t. Maybe someone else can.”
If there is any silver lining to this loss for Williams, perhaps it’s that this year she’ll won’t have to face the constant buzz that comes with the potential of winning a calendar year Grand Slam.
