Nick Kyrgios ‘devastated’ after quarterfinal defeat to Karen Khachanov as he destroys two rackets on court and leaves with ‘feeling of defeat’
Serena Williams ‘disappointed’ with US Open results after she was beaten by Caroline Garcia in the first round
Athletes are being urged to respect the spirit of their sporting idol after Serena Williams was embarrassed by a break down in her heat victory at the US Open.
Williams, who is currently ranked world No. 2 in the women’s game, broke down at one point during her semi-final match with Caroline Garcia on Monday.
It was later posted on Twitter by Williams’ sister Venus, who is a close confidante of Williams, and she claimed the 29-year-old was ‘devastated’.
Williams was eventually beaten in two sets by her compatriot Khachanov but the incident has now shone a light on the problems athletes face during these events.
The incident was first leaked to the media by the Daily Mail, who published the images it received from an anonymous source.
A tennis player’s hero (left) and a villain (right) after Khachanov beat Williams for her spot at the women’s title
The Daily Mail claims the images are from the semi-finals of the US Open in September, which was a much-hyped moment in women’s tennis
But the photos show Williams sitting on the court, cradling her left leg as she appears to be in pain as she is visibly upset.
Shortly after, Williams tweeted she was ‘devastated’ as it was the second time in as many quarters that she has received such a blow.
‘I don’t want to see anyone else suffer from having to do this, you have to have something to hold onto and it’s not my legs right now,’ she said.
Athletes have been told to be respectful to their sports icons and don’t make any ‘unnecessary’ physical gestures when they’re leading.
Williams (left) is reportedly ‘devastated’ after she was beaten by US Open quarterfinalist Karen Khachanov (right) in the first set
The Daily Mail says the photos
