Estonian tennis star Anett Kontaveit left her post-match press conference in tears after she was knocked out of the US Open by 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams on Thursday (AEST).
The American tennis icon booked her spot in the third round of her farewell tournament after toppling the No. 2 seed in front of a record crowd of 29,959 at Flushing Meadows, claiming an epic 7-6 2-6 6-2 win.
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Williams put on an absolute clinic against the 2021 US Open finalist, once again reminding the tennis world why she’s the true GOAT.
The 40-year-old will face Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round.
The adoring New York crowd, which featured a plethora of A-list celebrities, threw their full support behind Williams, erupting in a wild frenzy whenever she broke serve or put away a winner.
But some spectators copped criticism for cheering after Kontaveit’s service faults, prompting the chair umpire to intervene in the first set.
And that wasn’t the only “disrespectful” moment from Thursday’s blockbuster encounter.
Before the match got underway, Kontaveit was forced to wait courtside on Arthur Ashe Stadium as a lengthy Williams tribute was played on the venue’s big screen.
“Once again, US Open organisers bringing Serena Williams’ opponent out onto the court before playing a montage. Very disrespectful,” tennis journalist Stuart Fraser tweeted.
“It’s pretty simple. Play the montage, introduce Serena to a great reception, then the higher-ranked opponent last (as is normally the case at most tournaments). That way, no one left waiting courtside. Everyone’s happy. Done.”
Speaking to reporters after the loss, Kontaveit had nothing but praise for her veteran opponent, who registered 38 winners and 40 unforced errors.
“I thought I didn’t play a bad match at all,” she said.
“She definitely raised her level in the third set. She played amazing.
“In the first set she was serving so well in these important moments. I fought really hard, thought I played a decent match. She was better today.
“It was her moment. I was trying to do my own thing. Of course, this is totally about her. I was very aware of that.”
But the 26-year-old broke down in tears when an Estonian reporter asked her a follow-up question about the match, leaving the room immediately after giving her response.
“I mean, it was hard … it was something I never experienced before,” she said.
“I don’t think it’s a personal attack against me or anything. I mean, it’s fair.”
“I definitely had no shame losing to Serena,” she continued through tears.
“It was very difficult with the crowd.”
Sports journalist Gunnar Lehestelater later explained on Twitter: “I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention at all.
“I was just thanking her for the greatest match that one Estonian can experience via television. She told that she don’t have to be embarrassed by loss against Serena and that the crowd was really hard, and that was it.”
After a glittering 27-year professional career, Williams entered this year’s US Open preparing to bid farewell to tennis at the major tournament where it all began.
She now boasts a 23-2 record in her last 25 matches against players ranked in the top two, a run that dates back to 2007.
“I’m not in any rush here (to leave),” Williams proclaimed after the triumph.
“I’m loving this crowd, and there’s still a little left in me. We’ll see.
“This is what I do best, I haven’t played many matches but I have been practising really well.
“The last couple of matches in New York it’s really come together.”
When asked whether she was surprised at her level, Williams replied: “I’m just Serena, you know?
“I’m just looking at it as a bonus, I have nothing to prove … I have nothing to lose.
“I haven’t been able to play like this since 1998, I’ve had an X on my back since 1999.”
Elsewhere in Flushing Meadows, Australia’s Nick Kyrgios booked his spot in the US Open’s third round after a rollercoaster match against world No. 50 Benjamin Bonzi.
