She played terrible’ – Wimbledon legend Serena Williams’ brutally honest double bagel take she couldn’t say

Tennis icon Serena Williams is never one to shy away from expressing her opinions, but even she admits there are moments when brutal honesty is better kept off the record. Recently, the 23-time Grand Slam champion reflected on a match where a fellow player suffered a double bagel defeat — a 6-0, 6-0 loss — a result considered one of the most humiliating outcomes in professional tennis.

While Serena refrained from publicly naming the player or the match, she candidly confessed that her immediate reaction was simply, “She played terrible.” Speaking during a candid conversation, Serena highlighted how, as a commentator or public figure, there’s often pressure to soften critiques, especially when discussing fellow athletes. However, the competitor in her couldn’t ignore the stark reality of the performance.

“It’s tough because you see a score like that and you have to find something positive to say. But sometimes, the truth is, it was just a really bad day on the court,” Serena admitted. She went on to explain that double bagel matches are rare at the top level because even on a player’s worst day, there’s usually enough pride or resilience to win at least a game. When that doesn’t happen, it reflects a complete breakdown — mentally, physically, or tactically.

Serena, known for her fierce on-court mentality, acknowledged that even as a multiple-time Wimbledon champion, witnessing such one-sided matches is uncomfortable. “You want to respect the effort, but at the same time, the level wasn’t there. It’s frustrating because you know how much work goes into even qualifying for these matches,” she added.

Throughout her illustrious career, Serena herself was rarely on the receiving end of such lopsided scorelines, but she understands how quickly things can unravel when confidence slips. While she often delivers her insights with humor and grace, moments like these remind fans of her deep competitive edge and no-nonsense view of professional standards.

Though she didn’t name the player or event, Serena’s comments resonated with tennis fans who appreciate her raw, unfiltered perspective. For Serena, honesty is key — even if sometimes she has to keep the harshest truths to herself.