Serena Williams was surprisingly beaten by Elena Rybakina in two sets as the 39-year-old American exited the French Open at the last-16 stage on Sunday.
Williams’ loss means her mission to approach Margaret Court’s record of 24 grand slams continues.
The American, who lost 6-3 7-5 to Rybakina, hasn’t made it past the fourth round on the mud at Roland Garros since 2016.
She will currently turn her attention to Wimbledon – the third grand slam of the season — which is played on grass and starts on June 28.
“I’m kind of excited to switch surfaces, but historically I have done pretty well on grass,” said Williams, who is a seven-time Wimbledon singles champion.
“I have done pretty well on clay too. Just not this particular season.”
Russian-born Rybakina changed her nationality to represent Kazakhstan in 2018, in the process securing “bigger support” from the Kazakh Tennis Federation, as indicated by the WTA.
Her victory over Williams guaranteed the 21-year-old Rybakina progressed to her first grand slam quarterfinal.
“I am so happy with my match, it was amazing,” said Rybakina, who will now play Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova for a semifinal spot.
“I was small, of course I was watching her matches on TV,” added Rybakina of Williams.
At the point when Williams won her first grand slam title at the US Open in 1999, Rybakina was only two months old.
“It’s difficult to expect anything, because you watch on TV and that’s completely different when you come on court and you feel the power and everything,” said the world No. 22.
“I knew that the serve was going to be difficult for me to return. She’s powerful, but I was ready. Then after few points I felt it comfortable, so nothing.”
Prior on Sunday, Roger Federer withdrew out the French Open as he tries to secure his knee following two operations in 2020.
Federer is focusing on a ninth Wimbledon title on his favorite grass court surface later this month.