Video: Serena Williams breaks down and cries following Naomi Osaka loss

The 23-time Major champion Serena Williams came to the Australian Open with high hopes, seeking the elusive 24th Major crown and the first in four years.

The veteran played on a high level in the opening five rounds, beating the names like Aryna Sabalenka and world no. 2 Simona Halep to reach her 40th Major semi-final. Facing the most formidable obstacle, Serena suffered a 6-3, 6-4 loss to Naomi Osaka in an hour and 15 minutes to hit the exit door, mighty disappointed with her performance after making too many errors.

Crashed and beaten, Serena couldn't say much during the press conference, repeating how she made too many easy mistakes and leaving it after only three minutes with tears in her eyes. Osaka played better when it mattered the most, seizing all four break opportunities and defending five out of seven break points in her games to seal the deal in straight sets and advance into her fourth Major final.

"I don't know. If I ever say farewell, I wouldn't tell anyone. I'm done. The difference today was errors; I made so many of those today. Honestly, there were opportunities where I could have won. I could have been up 5-0 in front, but I made too many mistakes. I felt like I was hitting well this whole tournament. Even the first couple of games. I played well and had my chances after that. Yeah, so it was – I don't know, just too many easy mistakes, not like there were forced or anything," Serena Williams said.