Serena Williams has lost her fourth grand-slam final in a row since welcoming her first child in September 2017.
The 37-year-old American was defeated by 19-year-old Bianca Andreescu who stunned her to a 6-2, 7-5 victory to capture the 2019 US Open title at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday night (Sept. 7).
Andreescu from Mississauga, Canada is now the youngest Grand Slam winner since Maria Sharapova at the 2006 US Open.
“It’s so hard to explain in words,” Andreescu said at the post-match awards ceremony. “I’m just beyond grateful and truly blessed. I’ve worked really, really hard for this moment. I can’t complain. This year has been a dream come true and now being able to play on this stage against Serena, a true legend of the sport, is amazing.”
“I know you guys wanted Serena to win, so I’m so sorry,” Andreescu said to the crowd after the match. “Obviously it was expected for Serena to fight back. She’s done that so many times in the past. That’s why she’s a true champion on and off the court, but I just tried my best to block everything out. The last game wasn’t easy. She started serving way better, too. Balls were going all over the place. I’m just glad with how I managed really.”
Serena, who lost to Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber in three finals in a row before Bianca Andreescu said: “Bianca played an unbelievable match,” Williams said in her post-match remarks to the crowd and to Andreescu, who was standing calmly beside her. “Congratulations. So proud and happy for you. I wish I could have played better. If anyone could win the tournament, outside of Venus, I’m happy it’s Bianca.”
A victory for Serena Williams would have allowed her to tie Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, but she remains at 23, which she won at the 2017 Australian Open when she was pregnant with her daughter, Olympia.
