Serena Williams declines on-court interview and skips press conference after losing what might be the second-last match of career

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Serena Williams declines on-court interview and skips press conference after losing what might be the second-last match of career
Serena Williams was smashed by Emma Raducanu in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters on Tuesday.Getty/Robert Prange
  • Serena Williams was thrashed in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters on Tuesday.
  • Afterwards, she refused an on-court interview and skipped her post-match press conference.
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Serena Williams declined requests for an on-court interview and skipped her post-match press conference a crushing defeat that might be one of the last games of her career.

Williams, who announced earlier this month that she will be retiring from tennis after the US Open, was beaten 6-4, 6-0 by Emma Raducanu in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters on Tuesday.

The 40-year-old is not expected to play again until the US Open, where she will enter as a wildcard with just one singles win under her belt in over a year.

Following her defeat to Raducanu, tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg reported that Williams "blew past" a reporter who had requested she speak to the crowd.

Williams also skipped her post-match press conference, which she has done at every match since announcing her retirement.

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While Williams was silent after Tuesday's match, Raducanu was not.

Raducanu was full of praise for Williams and revealed her delight in getting the chance to play against her.

The two players had never met on the court before the match.

"I'm so grateful for the experience to have been able to play Serena and for our careers to have crossed over," Raducanu told reporters.

"Everything she has achieved has been so inspirational and it was a true honour to share the court with her."

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Raducanu was also pleased with the manner of her victory over Williams with her hotly anticipated US Open title defence looming.

"Serena is dangerous and can come back from any situation. I had to stay focused. I'm so pleased I managed to keep my composure," she said.

"Each of those wins kind of build confidence regardless of the level you're playing, every single win counts. But of course this one more so, because you're playing like the greatest."

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