New York (AFP)

Her dream of a record 24th Grand Slam title has once again faded in the semi-finals of the US Open, but is Serena Williams still able to fulfill it, she who will celebrate her 39 years at the day before Roland-Garros where she made an appointment?

The defeat against Victoria Azarenka demonstrated it: if the rage to win and the will to fight of the American are still there, his tennis, him, struggles to go the distance ... and his physique with it.

"It's obviously disappointing. At the same time, I did my best. I feel like other times I've been close, but I could have done better. Today, I have the feeling of having given a lot, "she said afterwards, like a rare admission of helplessness.

There was a time not so long ago when leading 6-1, giving the impression of crushing everything in its path, would have led to a victory in straight sets.

Instead, Victoria Azarenka brilliantly reversed the situation to win in three sets (1-6, 6-3, 6-3).

Simply because she knew it was now possible.

"I knew the match was not over after the first set, and the same when I led 5-3 in the third. I've been there before ..." admitted Azarenka, who was indeed recalled his final lost in 2012 to Serena despite having served for the match in the third set at 5-4.

- "More extraordinary" -

“She is not as strong as before (...) She can no longer beat her best opponents 6-2, 6-2. And in the locker room, the players realize that they have a chance against her . She is still very strong, but more extraordinary, "said Mats Wilander, winner of seven Grand Slams including the US Open 1988, on Eurosport.

Since her return to competition a month ago in Lexington before moving on to the Cincinnati tournament relocated to the Flushing Meadows bubble, Serena has played 11 games.

Nine of them were decided in three sets, for many hours spent on the court.

If stopping in the semi-final of the New York Major is absolutely nothing unworthy, the fact is that it still missed a rather unique opportunity to join Margaret Court in the Hall of the most successful of the history in Grand Slam.

The women's table was indeed devoid of six of the ten best players in the world.

Since her last coronation at the 2017 Australian Open, she has failed four times in the final, at Wimbledon and at the US Open in 2018 and 2019. Defeats also undoubtedly against younger, who, fans to rivals, have left all fear of measuring themselves against the legend.

- "The chances are reduced" -

“I think the odds are getting smaller with every Grand Slam that goes by, because of the weather and because for me she can't play that defensive tennis that she needs to win anymore. And that puts too much pressure on her when you have to attack, "said former doubles specialist (21 major titles) Pam Shriver, consultant for ESPN.

However, on Parisian clay, which is not her favorite surface but where she has nevertheless won three times (2002, 2013, 2015) and was eliminated in the 3rd round last year by Sofia Kenin, arming yourself with patience and accepting that matches last longer is imperative.

Is she ready for it?

It sounds complicated.

But if there's one person left to believe in their star, it's Serena herself.

"I'm never satisfied. It's the story of my career. I never will and I won't give up, until I retire. It's just my personality. It's like that's what I have to be, "she warned before the US Open.

© 2020 AFP