Williams name no longer rooted in grass

“I know that feeling and that moment,” said Williams, who holds six Grand Slam titles. “There’s no better feeling than that.”

Her older sister, Venus, won the title in 2000 and 2001, then Serena beat Venus in the next two finals. Serena was hoping to become the first player to win three straight women’s titles since Steffi Graf from 1991-93.

Instead, she was outplayed 6-1, 6-4 by the third youngest and lowest seeded women’s player (No. 16) in Wimbledon history. It was Williams’ most one-sided defeat in 210 matches, going back to a 6-2, 6-1 loss to Mary Pierce in March 2000. Venus lost in the second round last week to another teenager, 19-year-old Croat Karolina Sprem, and flew home. Serena’s divorced parents, Richard Williams and mother Oracene Price, were in the guest box for yesterday’s final. Williams was gracious in defeat, walking around the net to embrace Sharapova.

“It’s great, she was so excited,” Williams said. “I try not to be a bad loser.”

Williams is used to dictating matches, pushing players around the court with her power game, speed and intimidating presence. But Sharapova showed no fear and outhit the top-seeded Williams with a stunning display of maturity and shotmaking. She had 17 winners, three more than Williams. “It’s normal – people always play their best tennis against me and my sister,” Williams said. “She’s kind of like me, she doesn’t back off. She keeps giving it her all.” Williams said her own game was way below par. “I don’t know what happened,” she said. “I have to look at the film. I didn’t play great and I didn’t win.”

Williams, who came into the tournament ranked No. 10, will now drop to No. 14, her lowest since March 1999.

It’s been a challenging past 12 months for Williams. She had knee surgery last August and missed eight months. Her half-sister Yetunde was shot to death in September in Los Angeles. At the French Open last month, Serena and Venus both lost in the quarterfinals.

Serena said yesterday she was only at “20 per cent.”

Throughout the tournament, Williams spoke of her determination to show that she was back and desire to match Graf’s three-title run.

Now, she wonders whether she wanted too much too soon.

“I think I put too much stress on myself going into it,” she said. “I figured I really wanted to win more than anything.”