Serena, Venus Slammed At The French Open On Same Day, All-Williams Third Rounder Foiled

For the just fourth time in their Grand Slam history, both Serena and Venus Williams lost on the same day ending the hope of an all-sister third round match. Just as Serena took the court on Suzanne Lenglen, Venus fell to 19-year-old Anna Schmiedlova in three sets 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Serena would restore order, but the world No. 1 and defending champion was stunned in quick fashion 6-2, 6-2 by Garbine Muguruza.

The loss was Serena’s worst her Grand Slam career.

Serena met the press afterward.

Q. How did you feel on the court today? What didn’t work?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I don’t think anything worked for me today, which is just nothing really worked. I don’t know anything that actually worked.

Q. Was there anything bothering you physically at all? Because I think I heard you say at some point you can’t serve?
SERENA WILLIAMS: No, I was just I just can’t serve (smiling). I mean, my serve hasn’t been good yet. I can’t say this whole tournament, because my tournament didn’t last long, but yeah, just in general.

Q. Do you have any understanding of why things weren’t working, or do you have to go back and reflect? Just one of those days?
SERENA WILLIAMS: It was one of those days. You know, you can’t be on every day, and, gosh, I hate to be off during a Grand Slam. It happens, you know. It’s not the end of the world. It is what it is.

Q. You had beaten Garbine easily in Australia, but you said that she had future.
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, she plays really well, obviously. I have actually never seen her play like this. So, you know, we’ll see if she hopefully she can keep it up, keep her form up and continue to play like this.

Q. How much was the potential meeting with Venus on your mind either before…
SERENA WILLIAMS: No, it wasn’t. It wasn’t really on my mind.

Q. Were you aware of what Venus was, what was happening with Venus on center court until what point?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I mean, I’m just walking out when she was late in the third, so yeah, that’s it.

Q. Can you maybe explain in a few words how tough is it for you to lose here in Paris where you have built a special relationship to the crowd, to the city?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, it’s not easy. I love it here, but there’s always next year. At least I won’t have any points to defend next year, so I look forward to it.

Q. You said your serve hadn’t been working here. Did you feel this coming, though? Did you sense that not everything was sort of in place coming into this match?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I don’t know. Honestly, I just felt like you know, I finally started practicing better, but, you know, maybe it was a little bit too late.
Honestly, I think Garbine played really well and she played really smart. I didn’t adapt. It was what it was.

Q. Did things just sort of fall apart when you got to Paris? Because obviously Rome you weren’t at your complete best but you did win the title there.
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, maybe. I don’t know.
I don’t know exactly. I just again, I think she played really well and she played really smart. You know, it’s great, because I’m going to go home and work five times as hard to make sure I never lose again.

Q. The conditions were difficult? The wind, especially, that’s a problem?
SERENA WILLIAMS: No, they weren’t difficult. Only I think in one game it got windy, but that’s it.

Q. Are you angry with yourself or disappointed?
SERENA WILLIAMS: No, I’m really happy with myself. I feel great. (Smiling.)
I mean, yeah. Obviously I’m super disappointed and, you know, it’s hard. I worked really hard. But, hey, maybe I can do better. I know for a fact I can work harder.
I know for a fact I can play so much better than what I did today, so, I mean, it’s a double edged sword. I didn’t play well, but I can play better.
If I couldn’t play better I would be, I think, even more disappointed. But I know I can, so I know I have something to look forward to.

Q. There is no difference between today and Razzano, that day? Do you see any comparison?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I’m never wearing green in Paris again. Ever (smiling).