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Serena Williams reveals she learnt of half-sister's killer's release moments before taking court that ended in shock loss

August 17, 2018
Serena Williams (USA) def Venus Williams (USA)

Serena Williams has opened up about her stunning collapse against Johanna Konta in San Jose earlier this month, revealing that she'd learned of her half-sister's killer's release moments before taking the court.

Williams, 36, fell to a 6-1,6-0 defeat to Konta, the heaviest loss of her professional career.

However, in an interview with Time magazine, the 23-time Grand Slam winner revealed that an Instagram post informed her that Robert Maxwell, the man responsible for the death of her half-sister, Yetunde Prince, had been released from prison.

"I couldn’t shake it out of my mind," Williams said.

"It was hard because all I think about is her [three children] ... and what they meant to me. And how much I love them.

"No matter what, my sister is not coming back for good behavior."

Speaking to media after the loss, Williams said that she was distracted, although did not mention Maxwell's release.

"I have so many things on my mind, I don't have time to be shocked about a loss," Williams said at the time.

"I clearly wasn't at my best. I can only try to be there. When I was out there, I was fighting. I wasn't just giving it away. I was moving a lot better - I'm just trying to take the positives."

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