Serena Williams says she is not putting herself under any additional pressure at the U.S. Open after three early-round losses at this year’s Grand Slam tournaments.
Asked about winning a major this season, Williams said, "I'm not even thinking of it anymore. I haven't even been able to get to the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam this year. At this point, really just looking forward to next year."
She was then questioned about her U.S. Open expectations, responding by saying, "What is this, like The Enquirer?"
Explaining her comment, she added, "I'm just saying I've had a really disappointing year, especially in the Grand Slams, for me. So I'm not going to put any pressure on myself. I almost feel like the pressure is lifted because I haven't performed the way I've wanted to personally. Maybe for other people, but for me it's not the way I've wanted to perform.
"In a way, I don't feel like, you know, a ton of pressure going into the Open. I almost feel like it's lifted. I look forward to next year because I don't have any points to defend at any of the Slams."
Following her three-set defeat to her sister, Venus, in the semifinals of Montreal, Williams said she was not satisfied with her game. "Yeah, so I definitely need to go back and analyze it, figure out how to be more consistent, how to play more consistent on a more consistent level,” she said.
Williams, the defending champion at the U.S. Open, won her fourth event of the season at Stanford two weeks ago.