Serena Williams weighs-in on controversial scheduling debate after Wimbledon final loss

CONTROVERSIAL scheduling issues have plagued the 2018 tournament and the “archaic” Wimbledon rule reared its ugly head in the women’s final at the All England Club.

Serena Williams was her own worst enemy. Picture: AP

SERENA Williams is refusing to make excuses after her quest for history was destroyed by Angelique Kerber in a lopsided Wimbledon final.

The German methodically dismantled Williams 6-3 6-3 in just 65 minutes, ensuring Margaret Court’s grand slam record of 24 majors still stands alone.

Williams, 36, said a delayed start to the match because of two long men’s semi-finals had no affect.

“It definitely didn’t have any impact on me. It was a necessary evil that needed to be done,” she said.

“They (Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal) didn’t finish their match. They had to finish. It had to be completed.

Serena Williams refused to blame scheduling issues for the loss. Picture: AP

“I’m not going to ever make an excuse. Actually, every match this tournament I didn’t have a start time. I never played at 1(pm) or anything, so I was always second after.

“I was fine.”

Devastated after an error-strewn display, Williams said she is encouraged by her overall performance.

“It was a great opportunity for me,” she said.

GROTH: Wimbledon needs to change archaic ways

“I didn’t know a couple of months ago where I was, where I would be, how I would do, how I would be able to come back.

“It was such a long way to see light at the end of the road kind of.

“So I think these two weeks have really showed me that, okay, I can compete. Obviously I can compete for the long run in a grand slam.

“I can, you know, come out and be a contender to win grand slams.”

Williams self-destructed with 24 unforced errors to Kerber’s five.

Contesting her fourth tournament since childbirth in September, Williams was philosophical in defeat.

Serena Williams was her own worst enemy. Picture: AP

“It was a such an amazing tournament for me, I was really happy to get this far,” she said.

“It’s obviously disappointing but I can’t be disappointed. I’m just literally getting started.

“For all the mums out there, I was playing for you.

“Angelique played out of her mind. She’s a very good friend and I feel happy for her. It’s amazing for her.”

It is only the seventh time in 30 finals Williams has come up short - and the third time at Wimbledon, where she is a seven-time champion.

And Kerber, whose relentless running and mental doggedness was supreme, has now done it twice.

The left-hander deservedly jubilated after lifting a third major to sit alongside the 2016 Australian and US Open trophies.

“It’s just a dream come true again,” Kerber said.

“Serena, you are such an inspiration for all of us and everybody watching.

“I’m sure you will have your next grand slam trophy really soon.”

Williams denied the German in the ‘16 Wimbledon but she was never a chance against a revealingly inspired opponent.

As Williams butchered regulation shots, Kerber found the chalk with chilling frequency.

Kerber put Williams on notice from the outset, using defence to break serve in the opening game before leading 2-0.

Williams dedicated her incredible run to mums around the globe.

Far from being a minor blimp, as it initially seemed to be as Williams reeled off the next three games, it became a trend as her groundstrokes malfunctioned.

Struggling to find rhythm and animation, Williams was on the brink after more unforced errors armed Kerber with a 4-2 lead in the second set.

Almost inevitably, Kerber sealed victory with a Williams’ mishit.

Williams, who was bidding to become the first mother to triumph at Wimbledon since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980, was supported from the Royal Box by Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton.

Watch all the Wimbledon action on FOX SPORTS with LIVE coverage up until the Quarter Finals. SIGN UP NOW >