Simona Halep handed Serena Williams the most lopsided major loss of her career, 6-2, 6-2, in today's Wimbledon final denying the seven-time champion's quest to match Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 majors.
After suffering her third consecutive straight-sets loss in a Grand Slam final, Williams said she remains determined to strive for the record-equaling major championship.
More: Superb Halep Slams Serena for Wimbledon Crown
"I can't say I blame injury," Williams told the media at Wimbledon. "I wasn't injured when the tournament started. That really is a positive for me, so...
"I just think that I just have to just keep going, you know, keep trying, keep working, maybe be able to play some tournaments uninjured, like I did with this one. Just keep moving forward."
The 37-year-old Serena, who has not won a Grand Slam title since defeating older sister Venus in the 2017 Australian Open final, said playing more Tour-level finals could help her better prepare for her pursuit of Grand Slam history.
"I just have to figure out a way to win a final," said Williams, whose last non-major final was the 2016 Rome. "Maybe it is playing other finals outside of Grand Slams would be really helpful just to kind of get in the groove so by the time I get to a Grand Slam final I'm kind of used to what to do and how to play."
The 23-time Grand Slam champion was gracious in defeat crediting Halep for taking it to her.
"I think for me any loss is not easy, per se. Like I said on the court, when someone plays lights out, there's really not much you can do," Williams said. "You just have to understand that that was their day today. Hopefully they can play like that more often, more consistently. Hopefully I can raise the level of my game sometimes."
Asked her reaction to her former Fed Cup captain and Hall of Famer Billie Jean King suggesting that "maybe you should stop being a celebrity for a year, stop fighting for equality, and just focus on the tennis," Williams offered a direct response.
"The day I stop fighting for equality and for people that look like you and me will be the day I'm in my grave," Williams replied.
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport