After losing in the United States Open semifinal to Roberta Vinci, an unseeded Italian, Serena Williams should have exhaled with such force that the grandstands surrounding her rumbled.
Because it was finally over, wasn’t it? The hype and the hope and the heavy book of tennis history that were hovering over her had been lifted. Just like that, on Friday in Arthur Ashe Stadium, all of that pressure was let loose by a shocking upset.
Postmatch, Williams dared not show emotion or offer much explanation. No tears, anger or visible release after losing to a player who had never even taken a set off her before.