Australian Open: Serena Williams concerns fans about prospect of retirement after semi-final loss

‘I’m really worried she will RETIRE soon’: Serena Williams concerns fans after emotional press conference where she says ‘I’m done’ following Australian Open defeat to Naomi Osaka… while some insist 39-year-old now ‘needs to retire gracefully’

  • Serena Williams came up short in the Australian Open semi-finals on Thursday 
  • Naomi Osaka beat her in straight sets and Serena broke down soon afterwards 
  • The 39-year-old abruptly left her press conference, saying: ‘I can’t… I’m done’
  • Another loss in the latter stages of a major has raised questions about her future 
  • Some fans are concerned she could retire while others say the time has come

Serena Williams has worried her supporters after abruptly saying ‘I’m done’ in her post-match press conference following defeat to Naomi Osaka in the semi-finals of the Australian Open

The 39-year-old, who is still one behind Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, broke down in tears following the straight-sets defeat on Thursday. 

After admitting she ‘wouldn’t tell anyone’ if she did say farewell to the Melbourne crowd, the American was visibly emotional and left the press room in tears, saying: ‘I can’t… I’m done.’ 

As the video circulated on social media after her defeat to Japanese star Osaka, some fans were concerned that Williams’ retirement could be imminent – while others believed now was the time to call it a day. 

The 39-year-old waves goodbye to the Melbourne crowd after coming up short against Naomi Osaka in the semi-finals

Serena Williams has raised questions about her future after defeat in the Australian Open 

Serena later posted this photo on Instagram and admitted: ‘It was not the ideal outcome or performance but it happens…’

Fans varied in their response, with some sad at the prospect of her retirement while others believed the time had now come

Fans varied in their response, with some sad at the prospect of her retirement while others believed the time had now come 

One user admitted: ‘If Serena retires without getting 24, I feel like that’s going to sit with her forever’ and another added: ‘I’m really worried Serena will retire soon.’ 

However, others online believed it was now time for Serena to hang up her racket after a career spanning over 25 years. 

‘Serena needs to retire to be honest,’ one said. ‘Watching her face Naomi was sad, she’s nowhere near at the moment.’ 

Another user thought similarly: ‘I honestly don’t think Serena can move past semifinals again. If I were her, I’d retire peacefully.’ 

The American was second-best on the day as Naomi Osaka took her place in Saturday's final

The American was second-best on the day as Naomi Osaka took her place in Saturday’s final

Williams has now not won a Grand Slam since her triumph in Melbourne in 2017 – and has been chasing Court’s all-time major record ever since. 

She has since reached four Grand Slam finals but is yet to get over the line, with one of those coming against Osaka in the 2018 US Open – a match famous for her confrontation with chair umpire Carlos Ramos.  

Williams also lost in the final at Wimbledon in both 2018 and 2019, to Angelique Kerber and Simona Halep respectively, while Bianca Andreescu was also victorious against her in the final at the 2019 US Open. 

At a press conference which lasted just over three minutes before she left the room, Williams admitted that she simply made too many errors on court on Thursday. 

For Williams, four years after her last major, the wait to equal Margaret Court's record goes on

For Williams, four years after her last major, the wait to equal Margaret Court’s record goes on

Serena waves goodbye to the crowd, on what could be her final appearance at the Australian Open

Fans have been allowed back in at Melbourne Park

Serena waves goodbye to the crowd, on what could be her final Australian Open appearance

‘Just made too many mistakes there, easy mistakes,’ she said. 

‘Not like I was on the run or anything, they were just easy, easy mistakes.

‘The difference today was errors. I made so many errors today. Honestly, there were opportunities where I could have won. I could have been up 5-0.’