Surprise surprise, Serena Williams sided Saturday against American Sofia Kenin in the third round of Roland Garros, making it his first defeat in a major tournament in five years. But that did not stop Serena from addressing her followers on Instagram with uplifting words. On Sunday, she posted a message of perseverance motivation that touched fans around the world.
"Yesterday was not my day," said Williams, 37, a photo of herself, raising her arms and breathing above her head, an expression of frustration on her face. "But you have to get up from time to time after your fall, here is a multitude of tomorrows."
Fans and famous friends quickly responded with words of support to the winner of the Grand Slam, 23 times winner.
Tom Brady wrote: "You're right," adding a goat emoji, symbolizing the title "The greatest of all time" (which has been attributed to him in football).
"Yes ma'am," said Eva Longoria, accompanied by three applauding emojis.
The 20-year-old Russian Kenin, who moved to the United States as a baby, defeated Williams throughout the match, shocking fans and even herself with a 6-2, 7-5 win. "Serena is such a tough player and I always try to deal with what just happened," she said after the match. "She is a true champion and an inspiration."
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Serena Williams of the United States reacts after missing a shot at Sofia Kenin of the United States in her third round match of the Roland-Garros tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris, Saturday, June 1, 2019. (AP Photo / Christophe Ena)
Switzerland's Roger Federer plays against Argentine Leonardo Mayer in his fourth round match of the Roland-Garros tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris on Sunday, June 2, 2019. (AP Photo / Michel Euler)
Spaniard Rafael Nadal plays Argentina's Juan Ignacio Londero in the fourth round match of the Roland Garros Roland-Garros tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris on Sunday, June 2, 2019. (AP Photo / Michel Euler)
Serena Williams, of the United States, reacts after missing a shot and her third round match of the tennis tournament in Roland Garros against US Sofia, Ken Ken, in two sets, 2-6, 5- 7, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Saturday, June 1, 2019. (AP Photo / Christophe Ena)
Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas reacts after missing a shot at Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka in his fourth round match at the Roland-Garros tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris on Sunday (June 2nd) 2019. (AP Photo / Christophe Ena)
Switzerland's Roger Federer plays against Argentine Leonardo Mayer in their fourth match of the Roland-Garros tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris on Sunday, June 2, 2019. (AP Photo / Pavel Golovkin)
Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka screams after scoring a point against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in their fourth match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris on Sunday, June 2, 2019. (AP Photo / Christophe Ena)
Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas falls after a dive against Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka in his fourth round match at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris on Sunday, June 2, 2019. (AP Photo / Christophe Ena)
Sloane Stephens of the United States plays Spaniard Garbine Muguruza in the fourth round match of the Roland-Garros tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris on Sunday, June 2, 2019. (AP Photo / Michel Euler)
Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka celebrates his victory in the fifth match of the French Open tennis tournament against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in five sets, 7-6 (8-6), 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 8-6 . Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Sunday 2 June 2019. (AP Photo / Christophe Ena)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays against German Jan-Lennard Struff in the fourth round match of the Roland-Garros tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris on Monday, June 3, 2019. (AP Photo / Christophe Ena)
Argentine Juan Martin del Potro is preparing to serve against Australian Jordan Thompson in his third-round match of the Roland-Garros tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris on Saturday, June 1, 2019. ( AP Photo / Pavel Golovkin)
German Alexander Zverev plays against Serbian Dusan Lajovic in his third round match at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris on Saturday, June 1, 2019. (AP Photo / Pavel Golovkin)
Japan's Naomi Osaka rises after her third-round match at the Roland Garros against Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris on Saturday, June 1, 2019. Osaka lost her match in two sets, 4-6, 2- 6. (AP Photo / Michel Euler)
The German Alexander Zverev is reflected in a window on the left, as he plays a right shot against Serbian Dusan Lajovic in their third round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris on Saturday, June 1st, 2019. (AP Photo / Pavel Golovkin)
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Williams also made positive comments about Kenin, ranked 35th, who played his heart in yesterday's game. "She played really well," Williams said. "I have the impression that, in this first set in particular, I hit pretty much at the line. I had not played anyone like this for a long time …"
After suffering several injuries over the past year and being removed from the Miami Open, Williams arrived in Paris in a positive spirit, wearing an outfit designed by Virgil Abloh and Nike with the words "Champion", "Queen", "Goddess" and "Mother" in French on it.
"Let Roland Garros start," says Williams in a photo of herself posing with Abloh, artistic director of Louis Vuitton's men's clothing collection and CEO of Milan's Off-White label.
This was not the first shocking defeat of Williams in recent years. Naomi Osaka defeated Williams at the US Open 2018. Osaka was also beaten Saturday in the third round of the French Open.
In addition to dealing with illness and injury, Williams missed four Grand Slam tournaments in 2017-18, while taking time out of his daughter Alexis Olympia.
"I'm glad to have come," Williams said on the occasion of the French Open this year. "But it's been a very trying season for me."
New Kenin moves on to the next round where she will face Australian Ashleigh Barty.
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