KRISTEN’S KOURT: SERENA OUT IN EARLIEST GRAND SLAM EXIT EVER

Written by: Staff on 29th May 2012

KRISTEN'S KOURT: SERENA OUT IN EARLIEST GRAND SLAM EXIT EVER

Serena Williams of the United States reacts as she loses to Ekaterina Makarova of Russia in their fourth round match against at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 23 January 2012. Makarova won in two sets. EPA/BARBARA WALTON |

By Kristen Tracy

Holy upset Batman!

Ok, so before I begin let me first say that I never imagined a time when I would be so proud to be an American tennis fan. Even more surprising to me is that this pride comes during the season most Americans (fans and players) fear the most – the clay court season. The overwhelming presence of the United States at the French Open has been an extremely pleasant surprise. That being said, I don’t think anyone – not even the world’s best tennis analysts, reporters, or most knowledgeable fans – could have predicted what happened today.

I’m still trying to wrap my head around what exactly happened to Serena Williams in her match against France’s Virginie Razzano. I can’t figure out if it was Serena playing badly, Razzano playing really well, or a combination of the two that affected the outcome of what many thought should have been a walk in the park for the no. 5 seed. So many people (myself and many others at 10sballs.com I’m sure) had Serena going deep in this tournament. There seemed to be no reason why she couldn’t do it. She held an incredible 17 match-winning streak going into Paris. Her first round win seemed effortless. And yet when she walked off Court Philippe Chatrier today, she was walking away defeated, deflated, and disappointed.

Most players would have been more than disappointed – they would have been angry. And the media in the press room would have had hell to pay if they wanted an interview. But Serena Williams, in a bit of a surprising demeanor, was nothing but elegance and class. She, like any top 5 player who had just been knocked out of a major in the second round would be, was upset and by no means pleased with the result; but she accepted it for what it was a decided to try not to dwell on it.

“It’s life,” Serena said. “Things could be a lot worse. I haven’t had the easiest past six months. Nothing I can’t deal with. I’m not happy, by no means. I just always think things can be worse.”

Don’t worry, Williams won’t be leaving Paris right away. She and fellow American Bob Bryan were announced as partners in the mixed doubles draw. Hmmm. An Olympic dry run perhaps?

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