This hand out photo released by the Tennis Australia on February 18, 2021 shows Serena Williams of the US gets emotional at a press conference after losing her women's semi-final match against Japan's Naomi Osaka on day eleven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne - AFP

MELBOURNE (REUTERS): Serena Williams broke down in tears and cut short her post-match news conference on Thursday after her 6-3,6-4 defeat to Naomi Osaka in the Australian Open semi-finals

ended her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.

Williams won her last major title in 2017 at Melbourne Park before taking a break to give birth to daughter Alexis Olympia, and has lost four major finals since returning to tennis in 2018.

The 39-year-old, who is one Grand Slam title short of Margaret Court's record, walked off Rod Laver Arena to a standing ovation on Thursday, pausing for a moment to put her hand on her heart and wave to the crowd.

“The Aussie crowd is so amazing, so it was nice to see,” Williams, sporting a ‘Queen’ necklace, told reporters.

When asked if her exit from the court was a final farewell to Melbourne Park, she said with a smile: “If I ever say farewell, I wouldn't tell anyone.” 

But the smile soon faded, and a question about whether her defeat to Osaka was just a “bad day at the office” saw her take a sip of water before choking up.

“I don't know. I'm done,” she said, leaving the room in tears.

Osaka ends Williams’ record bid and reaches Australian Open final