In a cover story with Time Magazine,
Serena Williams revealed that the worst loss of her professional career – a stunning 6-1, 6-0 defeat to
Jo Konta in San Jose – took place after she received emotional news.
The tennis superstar said that 10 minutes before the start of the July 31 match she discovered on Instagram that Robert Edward Maxfield, the man convicted of killing her sister Yetunde Price in 2003, had been released on parole earlier in the year.
"I couldn't shake it out of my mind," the 23-time Grand Slam winner told Time.
Her loss at San Jose was the first time in 928 professional matches that Williams failed to win more than one game. She had previously cited "accepting some tough personal stuff."
“No matter what, my sister is not coming back for good behavior,” Williams said of Maxfield being released. “It’s unfair that she’ll never have an opportunity to hug me."
Williams cited biblical passages on forgiveness while discussing Maxfield, but ultimately concluded, "I'm not there yet."
“I would like to practice what I preach, and teach Olympia that as well. I want to forgive. I have to get there. I’ll be there.”
Price had three children – 11, 9 and 5 years old – when she died.
"It was hard because all I think about is her kids, and what they mean to me. And how much I love them."