'Really good question': Serena Williams lifts lid on true feelings about final loss to Aussie
Serena Williams has opened up about her career-ending loss to Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic at the US Open, answering the question "no-one's asked me."
Tomljanovic ruined Williams' fairytale at Flushing Meadows with a 7-5, 6-7, 6-1 third round win, with the American icon then announcing she was "transitioning" away from the sport she dominated for the better part of two decades.
In an interview with CBS, Williams reiterated she had no plans to return to tennis and recalled her emotions from that spine-tingling September night.
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CBS' Gayle King asked the 41-year-old how she felt the morning after waving goodbye.
"That's a really good question, no-one's asked me that yet," Williams said.
"I was actually not very happy at all, just because of the result.
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Serena Williams and Ajla Tomljanovic. AP
"I was there to keep going and to keep winning, and it was more or less like, I can't believe I let that match go more than anything...
"Obviously it was a great moment and a great memory and I don't feel like I've left anything, but I just felt like what I could have done better that day."
Williams has a tennis court at her Florida home but, looking out at the grass, did not feel the urge to pick up a racquet again.
"I feel relief when I look at the court," Williams said.
"I feel like I am so happy I don't have to train for two hours today...
"I've literally given my whole life to tennis. It's time for me to give my life to something else."
Serena Williams at the Australian Open: Legend's transformation after 1998 debut
