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Serena Willliams the latest Top 10 WTA player out of the French Open

By Veronica Elizabeth Bruno

PARIS, FRANCE June 01. Serena Williams of the United States during her loss against Sofia Kenin of the United States during the Women's Singles third round match on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the 2019 French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros on June 1st 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE June 01. Serena Williams of the United States during her loss against Sofia Kenin of the United States during the Women's Singles third round match on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the 2019 French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros on June 1st 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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Serena Williams was out-played by compatriot Sofia Kenin in her third round matchup, losing in straight sets to the 20-year-old, 6-2, 7-5.

Serena Williams’s bid to achieve the most singles grand slam titles of all time– 24– will have to wait. Considered the greatest of all time, the legend already owns the most in the Open Era, having surpassed Stefi Graf’s record of 22 with her last Australian Open trophy in 2017 (23). She’s been chasing down Margaret Court’s overall record (who played in both the Open and amateur eras) of 24, making it to two finals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year.

But a chronic knee injury and illness have hampered her efforts this year, ever since losing to Naomi Osaka at last year’s U.S. Open. It used to be that no one had an answer to Ms. Williams’s raw power and athleticism. But now it seems as if the younger players are hungrier and less intimidated. Sofia Kenin certainly had all the confidence to produce the upset, making it to the fourth round of the French Open for the first time. She is part of a crop of young Americans who are shaking up the WTA— along with Danielle Collins and Amanda Anisimova– and joining established stars U.S. Open winner Sloane Stephens and her U.S. Open finalist, Madison Keys.

But it’s not just talent among the Americans. Aptitude abounds on the WTA circuit, where the top rankings have shifted like a game of chairs. Only a few players have won more than one WTA title this year. The days of one player dominating are long gone.

Karolína Plíšková and Petra Kvitová each won two titles this year, and they’re both out already: Plíšková in the third round, and Kvitová having withdrawn from the tournament at the beginning due to injury. Another double-titlist, world No. 4 and clay-court winner at Mutua Madrid, Kiki Bertens also went out horrifyingly due to a sudden illness in the second round. Injury and illness has struck the Top 10 at this year’s French Open.

Top ranked Naomi Osaka was considered the favorite at Roland Garros, desperately chasing a calendar slam in her year of achieving majors. Even after reaching the semis and quarters of the warm-up events at Stuttgart, Madrid, and Rome, she closes out her clay season not getting past the same FO round as last year.

Fifth-ranked Angelique Kerber was the first shock exit from played matches, having been defeated by world No. 70 Anastasia Potapova, 6-4, 6-2. Elina Svitolina was ousted by two-time slam champion Garbiñe Muguruza, whose ranking has dropped lately, but who certainly is considered a contender.

Of the Top 10, Sloane Stephens and Ashleigh Barty are still looking strong as well as Simona Halep of course. Halep, the defending champion, has now established herself as the clear favorite.

Serena Williams will be preparing for grass season, where she retains a strength that defines her legend. She holds an incredible seven titles there, and a fully fit Serena will still be considered one of the front runners.

As for Roland Garros, the draw is completely open now and is any woman’s game to win.

The French Open continues through June 9, on Tennis Channel and NBC.

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