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When Serena Williams won the Australian Open three years ago, her chase to catch Margaret Court’s record of 24 major titles seemed all but within reach.

Williams, who was eight weeks pregnant during that title run, would not appear at another major tournament until the 2018 French Open. Now, with another Grand Slam event in the books, Williams has since seen eight opportunities to tie the Australian come and go.

In Melbourne, the 38-year-old was ousted in three sets by Wang Qiang, an opponent she had handily defeated in 44 minutes at the 2019 US Open. Her coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who has worked with Williams since 2012, believes it’s time the pair comes to terms that adaptation is required.

"We didn't expect at all to be losing so early, or to be losing at all," he told BBC Sport. "We have to accept the fact that it is not working.

"We have to face reality, but she is positive that she can make it otherwise she probably wouldn't be on a tennis court anymore. She does feel positive, she feels negative too because it is a failure when she doesn't win a Grand Slam.”

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The American has been within one victory of winning the elusive match, finishing runner-up in consecutive appearances at both Wimbledon and the US Open. In those championship appearances, Williams has gone zero for eight in sets won.

"Her level is good enough but we have to understand what is going on and why she is not able to win one. There is a big difference between reaching a final and winning one,” Mouratoglou said.

“She believes she can make it and I believe it too. She's not that far, but we have to change a few things.

Prior to arriving in Melbourne Park, Williams did successfully lift her first trophy since becoming a mother, triumphing in Auckland over countrywoman Jessica Pegula.