Look back at the key moments and matches that have halted Serena Williams’ chase to equal Margaret Court
It is the only thing left on Serena Williams’ to-do list. But while she has had Margaret Court in her sights for three years, so far the record has eluded her. And these moments and matches have been some of the most talked about of her career.
Tennis
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tennis. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It is the only thing left on Serena Williams’ to-do list.
When she won her 23rd Grand Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open, it was supposed to be a matter of when, not if, she would break Margaret Court’s record.
But three years later, she is still waiting to equal Court’s feat of 24 majors.
Williams has lost four consecutive Grand Slam finals. Throughout the first 19 years of her career she lost just six major finals.
“It’s meant a lot to me for a while and now it is just about getting over that one hump,” Williams said as she kicked off her Australian Open campaign at the Auckland International.
“I’m almost there, and I’m confident that I’ll get there.”
Williams’ quest to reach tennis immortality has been anything but drama free. In fact, the key matches have been some of the most talked about of her nearly two-decade long career.
As she reloads for another shot at history in Melbourne, look back on the near-misses that have so-far cost Williams.
Watch over 50 sports LIVE on Kayo! Stream to your TV, mobile, tablet or computer. Just $25/month, cancel anytime. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
WIMBLEDON FINAL 2018
3-6 3-6 v Angelique Kerber
It was meant to be the fairytale to top all fairytales. Just 10 months after giving birth to her first child, Williams was back on the game’s biggest stage and just one match away from equalling Court’s record.
But a familiar foe had other ideas. Angelique Kerber crashed the party and then some, setting up the win with a run of five straight games in the opening set.
While Williams played freely throughout the tournament, she tightened up in the final, amassing 24 unforced errors.
“I was really happy to get this far,” she said in the aftermath.
“It’s obviously disappointing but I have so much to look forward to and I’m literally just getting started.
“To all the mums out there, I was playing for you today and I tried but Angelique played really well.”
It is the second time Kerber has spoilt the party for Williams, after also beating her in the 2016 Australian Open final, despite being a massive underdog going into that match.
US OPEN FINAL 2018
2-6 4-6 Naomi Osaka
Arguably the most controversial moment of her career, Williams produced a stunning meltdown in the 2018 US Open final.
Seeded 17 going into her home slam, she blitzed the competition, losing just one set throughout the tournament. Highlighting her dominance, four of her six wins featured at least one set with a 6-0 or 6-1 score-line.
However, after dropping the first set to Osaka in the final, the wheels fell off in dramatic fashion. Here is how the events played out:
– Williams was given a code violation after being busted receiving coaching from her player’s box.
– At 3-2 in the second set Williams then received another code violation for racquet abuse. Coupled with the first violation, it resulted in a point penalty. She then told umpire Carlos Ramos: “Every time I play here, I have problems. I did not have coaching, I don’t cheat. You need to make an announcement. I have a daughter and I stand for what’s right. You owe me an apology.”
– Not done there, at the following change of ends, while trailing 3-4, Williams told Ramos: “For you to attack my character is wrong. You owe me an apology. You will never be on a court with me as long as you live. You are the liar. You owe me an apology. Say it. Say you’re sorry. How dare you insinuate that I was cheating? You stole a point from me. You’re a thief too.”
– Following the second verbal barrage, Williams was handed a game penalty by Ramos.
– Now leading 5-3, Osaka held her nerve to win her maiden slam, 6-2 6-4.
– The trophy ceremony was derailed as boos rung out across Arthur Ashe Stadium.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN QUARTER FINAL 2019
4-6 6-4 5-7 v Karolina Pliskova
Playing in her first tournament since the US Open controversy, Williams was looking the goods through the early rounds at Melbourne Park.
And with the superstar holding a 5-1 lead in the third set of her quarter-final match against Karolina Pliskova, all eyes were now on a semi-final re-match with Osaka.
But in a stunning Melbourne Park plot-twist, Williams dropped the next six games as Pliskova completed her remarkable comeback.
Despite holding four match points during the wild final set, Williams insisted she did not choke.
“I can’t say that I choked on those match points. She literally played her best tennis ever on those shots.”
WIMBLEDON FINAL 2019
2-6 2-6 v Simona Halep
It looked perfect on paper. Williams was all set for the Wimbledon final against an opponent she held a 9-1 head-to-head record against.
But once again, her efforts to equal Court were thwarted at the final hurdle.
This match was more about what was going on from the other side of the net though, with Halep starting like a whirlwind and never letting up as she raced to victory in 55 minutes.
“She literally played out of her mind,” Williams said of the smashing.
“When a player plays that amazing then you have to take your hat off and say, well done.”
US OPEN FINAL 2019
3-6 5-7 v Bianca Andreescu
Once again Williams hit another slam final as a raging favourite after a dominant fortnight at Flushing Meadows.
Standing in her way this time was 19-year-old Bianca Andreescu, who started the season ranked 152 in the world.
MORE TENNIS
Ash Barty and Kiki Bertens to play Barbora Strycova and Su-Wei Hsieh in Brisbane doubles final
Nick Kyrgios, Matteo Berrettini and Caroline Wozniacki to play at Kooyong Classic
The local crowd did everything it could to push their home town hero over the line. At one point, Andreescu had to put her fingers in her ears in an effort to drown out the noise.
And Williams used the energy, rallying to level the second set after trailing 5-1.
However, Andreescu was able to regroup, breaking Williams and taking the match 7-5.