{"id":432237,"date":"2025-09-17T22:50:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T22:50:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/432237\/"},"modified":"2025-09-17T22:50:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T22:50:11","slug":"serena-williams-shares-what-a-heckler-shouted-at-her-during-the-2010-australian-open-final-which-changed-the-match","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/432237\/","title":{"rendered":"Serena Williams shares what a heckler shouted at her during the 2010 Australian Open final which changed the match"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Serena Williams was excellent throughout the 2010 Australian Open and didn\u2019t want to go home without the trophy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Defeating four former and future Grand Slam champions, Petra Kvitova, Sam Stosur, Victoria Azarenka<\/a>, and Li Na, the American star qualified for her fifth career Australian Open final.<\/p>\n

Standing between Williams and the title was Belgium\u2019s Justine Henin<\/a>, who had a slightly easier time of things on her way to the final.<\/p>\n

\"JustinePhoto by Ryan Pierse\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

It was Williams<\/a> who made the brighter start in the final, taking the first set 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena.<\/p>\n

However, she soon began to struggle, dropping the second 3-6, as Henin took control.<\/p>\n

It looked like Williams was heading for a first-ever Australian Open<\/a> final defeat, until one heckle changed the match in an instant.<\/p>\n

Australian Open heckler shouted at Serena Williams \u2018You\u2019re not as good as they say\u2019<\/p>\n

During the first episode of the \u2018Stockton Street\u2019 podcast, Williams shared what happened during the 2010 Australian Open final.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always had a chip on my shoulder, since I was born, probably like some form of a Dorito! I always felt like I needed to prove something. When everyone was saying, There\u2019s never been two champions [from the same family], I took it as a personal mission. I was like, I\u2019m going to do this,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember in Australia, I was playing in the final, and I had a bone bruise in both knees. I think I won the first set, think I was losing the second set, and quite frankly, I was done, I was spent, I didn\u2019t have it in me.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen this guy in the crowd was like, \u2018You see, you\u2019re not as good as they say, I knew it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Williams proceeded to use that criticism as motivation, turning the match on its head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI looked at that guy, and thought, that\u2019s what I needed, tell me no and I\u2019ll show you that I can, I didn\u2019t lose another game,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"SerenaPhoto credit should read TORSTEN BLACKWOOD\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he hadn\u2019t said that, the person that he was rooting for [Henin] would have won.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never could find that guy. I wonder who he was. I wanted to thank him. Where are you?<\/p>\n

\u201cI almost needed negativity to be better. Don\u2019t give me positivity, I need negative.\u201d<\/p>\n

Williams believes Henin would\u2019ve won the title had the heckler not intervened, but did the Belgian ever get her hands on another Grand Slam?<\/p>\n

Justine Henin\u2019s Grand Slam record after the 2010 Australian Open final<\/p>\n

Coming out of retirement to reach the final of the Australian Open was a remarkable achievement, although Henin still wanted more.<\/p>\n

Looking to add to her tally of seven Grand Slams, she competed in three more major tournaments, but failed to make it past the fourth round.<\/p>\n