After battling her way to the Wimbledon final, Serena Williams has come up short.
In a stunning upset, the seven-time Wimbledon champion lost to Angelique Kerber of Germany in 2 sets: 6-3, 6-3. It was one of Williams’ most lopsided losses.
Williams came out swinging but was easily overpowered by Kerber in back-to-back sets. Kerber only made four unforced errors, while Williams made 14. Kerber is ranked 11th worldwide and has previously won two major titles: the 2016 Australian Open and the 2016 U.S. Open. Williams is currently ranked 25th.
“For all the moms out there, I did this for you. I tried my best,” Williams said, fighting back tears after the loss. “I was really happy to get this far. It’s obviously disappointing, but I can’t be disappointed. I’m literally just getting started.”
Williams has battled hard to get back to the court just 10 months after giving birth to her first child, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr. She also revealed that shortly after her daughter’s birth, she nearly died. Blood clots, which almost killed her years ago, were found in her lungs and the after-effects of treating them led to multiple surgeries.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner said recently she stopped breastfeeding her daughter to slim down for her return to the court. She said she’d heard that nursing would promote weight loss, but that didn’t happen for her.
“What I’ve learned through the experience, everybody is different, every person is different, every physical body is different,” she said in the clip above. “For my body, it didn’t work, no matter how much I worked out, no matter how much I did.”
(Photo: POOL New / Reuters)
Williams’ close friend, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attended the final match with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. The appearance marked the duchesses’ first solo outing without their husbands. Before taking their seats, the pair met with some of the tournament’s ball boys and girls, including Tia Carter, who did the match’s official coin toss.
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1990
Venus and Serena Williams with President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy.
1992
Playing tennis in Florida.
1998
At the beach in Key Biscayne, Florida.
1998
A portrait taken during the 1998 U.S. Open at the USTA National Tennis Center.
1999
In Paris on Feb. 28, 1999.
1999
Wearing traditional Chinese dresses, called cheongsam, at the players' party for the Super Power Challenge Cup on Jan. 6, 1999.
2000
At the Champions Ball after the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship on July 9, 2000.
2000
At the Teen Choice Awards on Aug. 6, 2000.
2000
At the Women's Sports Foundation Gala in New York City on Oct. 16, 2000.
2000
At Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman of the Year" award ceremony in New York City on Dec. 12, 2000.
2001
At the Essence Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York City on April 27, 2001.
2001
With Chris Tucker at the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sept. 10, 2001.
2001
Attending the Smirnoff Ice Victory Party in Las Vegas on Nov. 17. 2001.
2002
Walking in the Super Bowl XXXVI Gridiron Glamour Celebrity Fashion Show in New Orleans on Feb. 2, 2002.
2002
At the 2002 ESPY Awards in Hollywood, California.
2002
Walking back to the baseline while playing Corina Morariu during the U.S. Open on Aug. 26, 2002.
2003
Attending the premiere of "Bringing Down The House" on March 2, 2003, in Hollywood, California.
2003
Appearing on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios on July 15, 2003, in Burbank, California.
2003
Attending the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.
2004
Attending the CAA party at Variety's Beach Club during the 57th International Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2004, in Cannes, France.
2004
Wearing three different outfits during her first three matches at the 2004 French Open in Paris.
2004
Posing backstage at the 12th Annual ESPY Awards on July 14, 2004, in Hollywood, California.
2004
Warming up in her match against Lindsey-Lee Waters at the 2004 US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sept. 1, 2004.
2004
Returning a shot during her match against Sandra Kleinova during the US Open on Aug. 30, 2004.
2004
Attending the "VH1 - Big in '04" on Dec.1, 2004, in Los Angeles.
2005
Posing for a portrait in 2005 in Los Angeles.
2005
Christening the $5,000 Evian bath in the presidential suite at the Hotel Victor on Feb. 23, 2005, in Miami Beach, Florida.
2006
At Olympus Fashion Week Fall 2006 in New York City.
2007
Posing with the trophy in the players' garden after winning the Australian Open women's final match against Maria Sharapova on Jan. 27, 2007, in Melbourne.
2007
At MTV's Total Request Live on Aug. 28, 2007, in New York City.
2008
At the Luca Luca Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on Sept. 8, 2008, in New York City.
2009
Arriving at the 2009 ESPY Awards on July 15, 2009, in Los Angeles.
2009
Attending the Gucci for FFAWN Day event alongside Donald Trump on Sept. 16, 2009, in New York City.
2010
Arriving at the 2010 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter on March 7, 2010, in West Hollywood, California.
2011
Attending the 4th Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood luncheon on Feb. 24, 2011, in Beverly Hills, California.
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