Can Serena Williams bounce back from Wimbledon disappointment?

She was the WTA world No. 1 on eight separate occasions between 2002 and 2017 and has 23 Grand Slam singles titles to her name. However, for Serena Williams, there have been three finals appearances in the last five Grand Slam tournaments—with all three finals culminating in defeat. You need to look back to 2017 for her last major win, beating sister Venus in the final of the Australian Open. But in her recent Wimbledon final against Simona Halep, Serena looked a shadow of her former self, almost dejected and helpless against an opponent 10 years her junior. In the U.S. Open tennis odds, you’ll find Serena the outright favorite, priced at 4/1, but can she live up to this pressure and bounce back from the disappointment of losing yet another final?

Three finals lost in a year

When Serena lost to Halep in the women’s singles final at Wimbledon earlier this month, it was back-to-back defeats in the final of the prestigious Grand Slam. Despite triumphing at the All-England on seven occasions, after a year out in 2017 she returned and made two finals but has also been the runner-up twice. In 2018, she was the 25^th seed and eventually lost to Angelique Kerber of Germany, who was the 11^th seed. This year, Serena was seeded 11^th and came up against a whole string of lesser-ranked opponents before facing the seventh-seeded Halep in the final.

Following her most recent defeat at Wimbledon, Serena said, “I feel like I’m still incredibly competitive or else I wouldn’t really be out here.

“For the most part, I feel like I’m on the right track. I’m just going in the right direction in terms of getting back to where I need to be.”

In between those two Wimbledon finals, it was only last year that Serena tasted defeat in the final of the U.S. Open. On home soil and in familiar territory with six victories and further three finals at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center under her belt, she succumbed to Japan’s Naomi Osaka—who won her first Grand Slam title.

U.S. Open successes

It’s been five years since Serena lifted the U.S. Open trophy and 2015 saw her defend her title for a third successive year, beating Caroline Wozniacki: 6-3, 6-3. She had previously beaten Belarussian Victoria Azarenka in back-to-back finals in both 2013 and 2014, with both matches going the distance.

Serena’s first U.S. Open triumph was probably the most memorable; she overcame the top-seeded player in Martina Hingis and became the first African American to win a Grand Slam in the Open Era. Serena, then seeded seventh, prevailed 6–3, 7–6(4).

Her other two U.S. Open wins came in 2002 and 2008.

US Open 2018 meltdown

Last year’s final wasn’t without controversy, as Serena was given numerous code violations. The first was after umpire Carlos Ramos adjudged a gesture from her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, to be coaching. She was then docked a point for smashing her racquet during the game’s second set and the score 3-2 to Osaka. With the score at 4-3, Williams ranted at the umpire: “You are a liar! You will never be on a court of mine as long as you live. When are you going to give me my apology? Say you are sorry!” She was then docked the game, to leave Osaka one game from victory—before temporarily refusing to take to the court.

The atmosphere inside Arthur Ashe Stadium was pretty hostile, with the crowd booing prior to Osaka receiving the trophy; the jeers weren’t aimed at her, but for the way that Serena had been treated. It marred what should have been a memorable and joyous occasion for the young Japanese star, who went on to win her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year.

The two haven’t met at a tournament since, so it will be interesting to see what happens should the two be pit against each other at Flushing Meadows. You’ll find Osaka at a price of 8/1 to win the U.S. Open, while Halep is 7/1.