Post-match presser captures Serena's feelings minutes after inconceivable loss

In what is nothing less than one of the biggest surprises in sport, Serena Williams' quest to win the first calendar Grand Slam since Steffi Graf did so in 1988 was halted Friday, when unranked Italian Roberta Vinci played the match of her life, winning a three-set battle against the world No. 1.

During a brief but businesslike post-match press conference, Williams was understandably short, disappointed by a result that was unthinkable hours ago.

When questioned about the stress associated with being the clear favorite to achieve something that hasn't been done in 27 years, Williams was quick to quash the narrative that the pressure was too great to endure.

"No, I told you guys I don't feel pressure," the defending champion continued, "I never feel pressure."

Even in defeat, Williams was complimentary of Vinci and aware of the stature of the Italian's performance.

"She's going for it at an old age at 33 - that's inspiring." Said Williams of Vinci, who actually doesn't turn 33 until February. "She literally played out of her mind"

Williams, 34-years-old in two week's time, was sensibly terse during the press conference, just moments after what has to be considered the most disappointing loss in recent memory.

Contrary to what Serena said, her mother, Oracene Price, says the pressure likely got to her, as the attention had become too much.

"Yes, [from] everybody," Price offered on whether the scrutiny had become too much to bear, courtesy of ESPN, "Of course, then the pressure you put on yourself."

"Every day things can be different," Price said. "Just little things can put seeds of doubt in your mind and then you think too much, don't do what you should do, when you're out competing."

"I just feel for her because I know she wanted it and couldn't play her best, that's disappointing," Price said. "I think she was just really tight and couldn't muster through it today."

Serena's coach Patrick Mouratoglou also offered some thoughts, saying "I could feel it since the morning she was not having a good day."

"And it's not about the semis, because yesterday she had a good day. There are sometimes bad days during the Grand Slams and it's about [finding] a way through and she didn't find a way through today."

"Maybe to play a player like Venus [Williams] and then Vinci is difficult," Mouratoglou said, "because she has to take her 'A' game against Venus and then she doesn't feel the same pressure that she has to. It's not about not respecting Vinci, but she has this record against her every time she plays her, she wins in two sets. It's not conscious but you don't come to the court with the same intentions and then she didn't feel well today, so the combination of those two things made her not be aggressive enough mentally."