Tennis living legend Serena Williams is a U.S. Open championship away from tying Margaret Court’s all-time career Grand Slam singles title record of 24, but Williams’ latest run is not entirely without some controversy.
Most notably, individuals in attendance and also viewers watching from home likely heard fans cheer and otherwise celebrate whenever Estonian and No. 2-ranked Anett Kontaveit committed service faults and other unforced errors during Wednesday’s match that Williams won 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-2.
As Justin Terranova explained for the New York Post, such behavior is common across a plethora of American sports but is largely “considered crass” in tennis circles. Kontaveit seemed to admit after her loss that the atmosphere that included numerous high-profile celebrities attending the match impacted her performance against the all-time great:
“I mean, it was hard … it was something I never experienced before,” the 26-year-old responded to a question asked in her native language. “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. It was very difficult with the crowd.”
A former pro suggested such environments could help Williams reach Court’s record before the 40-year-old potentially rides off into the sunset of retirement.
“Just being on court, seeing how the crowd is loving it, pushing her, motivating her,” German and one-time No. 2-ranked men’s star Tommy Haas told TMZ Sports. “Anything’s possible in those moments.”
Haas added that Williams undoubtedly has to be considered one of the favorites to be the last woman standing when all is said and done.
“She’s looking very good,” Haas said of Williams. “I think now it’s a matter of if she’s feeling good physically. I mean, obviously, she’s feeling great mentally. It’s going to be tough to beat her.”
Williams will again be in front of a raucous “home” crowd when she takes on Australian Ajla Tomljanovic (world No. 46) in New York on Friday evening.
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