Serena Williams dodged the media following her surprise early exit from the Rio Olympics, but she did pay tribute to Elina Svitolina in a brief statement.
The American reigning champion committed 37 unforced errors in a 6-4, 6-3 defeat against Ukraine's Svitolina in the third round on Tuesday. Williams, a 22-time grand slam champion, praised Svitolina, who she had beaten in their four previous meetings.
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"It's obviously disappointing, but she played really well and I think the better player today won," Williams said in the statement, which was delivered through a Team USA spokesperson. "I can't wait for the next time and I know next time it's going to be a really good match. I'll look forward to it."
Williams fell apart in the second set against Svitolina, including serving five double faults in a single game.
The Rio Games marked Williams' fourth — and likely last — Olympics. Already out of the doubles with sister Venus, Serena said getting to Brazil had been an achievement. But she won't add any medal to her four career golds.
"It was a career opportunity," she said. "It didn't work out the way I wanted to, but at least I was able to make it to Rio. That was one of my goals. It was awesome. It was fun. But it's over now."
The #Rio2016 women's QF are set!
Svitolina v Kvitova
Puig v Siegemund
Keys v Kasatkina
Konta v Kerber pic.twitter.com/0TzEGp9Gxh
— ITF Olympic Tennis (@OlympicsTennis) August 9, 2016