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Tearful Serena Williams cuts short news conference after defeat to Naomi Osaka

United States' Serena Williams reacts during her fourth-round match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. [AP Photo/Hamish Blair]

Serena Williams broke down in tears and cut short her post-match news conference after her 6-3 6-4 defeat to Naomi Osaka in the Australian Open semi-finals on Thursday ended her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.

Williams won her last major title in 2017 at Melbourne Park before taking a break from the sport to give birth to daughter Alexis Olympia, and has lost four major finals since returning to tennis in 2018.

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