"In 5 minutes you can see that I'm more angry?": When Maria Sharapova disputed claim that Wimbledon loss to Serena Williams hurt more than past losses

Maria Sharapova once challenged the claim that her loss to Serena Williams at the 2015 Wimbledon Championships upset her more than any previous defeat to the American. The duo faced off in a blockbuster semifinal clash at the grasscourt Major.

Williams dominated her thrilling rivalry against Sharapova, triumphing in 20 of their 22 encounters. She recorded her 17th consecutive win over the Russian in the semifinals of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships, securing a commanding 6-2, 6-4 victory.

Following her loss, Maria Sharapova was asked about her mindset regarding the defeat, as it appeared that this loss had 'hurt' her more than her previous losses to Serena Williams. The Russian, however, questioned how the journalist had arrived at that conclusion.

"What makes you say that?" she questioned during her post-match press conference.

She also disputed the journalist's belief that she seemed angrier at his loss compared to her most recent defeat to Williams, which took place in the 2015 Australian Open final.

"In five minutes, you can see that I'm more angry?" she responded.

Sharapova then addressed her show of frustration, disclosing that it was tough to attend press conferences directly after losses, as there wasn't enough time to prepare explanations for the questions players were expected to answer.

"Press conferences are always about 30 minutes or 45 or an hour after a match. It's tough to come in here after a loss as a competitor and give you many smiles or certain explanations. It happens really fast. So, yeah, there's not really much to say," she said.

---

Maria Sharapova: "I always expect Serena Williams to play the best tennis against myself and a few other elite players"

Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova

During the same press conference, Maria Sharapova reflected on her struggles against Serena Williams. She emphasized the importance of producing one's best tennis against the American but admitted that she hadn't been able to do so.

"Yeah, I mean, I always expect her to play the best tennis against myself and a few other elite players. She does always come up with great tennis. You have to be able not to just produce your best tennis, but more. Obviously it hasn't happened for me," she said.

The Russian also expressed her belief that Williams knew she had to deliver her best effort against Sharapova and others like Victoria Azarenka, while conceding that they weren't able to do the same as consistently as the American.

"I think when she plays against me, she certainly does that. That's why she's in the position she's in. I don't think it's a secret. I think she knows against certain players she needs to bring out her best," Maria Sharapova said.

"The way that she plays Azarenka, myself, maybe a few others, she has to bring it on the line. We know we have to. We're not able to do that as consistent as she does," she added.

Following her win over Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams beat Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 6-4 in the final to clinch her sixth Wimbledon title.