Windy New Zealand Beats Serena Williams

She had been billed as one of the finest tennis players to ever grace New Zealand shores, but, frustrated by Auckland winds, Serena Williams crashed out of the ASB Classic yesterday - labeling conditions as "abhorrent."

Williams, the long-time world number one who spent the majority of last year on the sidelines, made 88 unforced errors in her second round loss to little-known American Madison Brengle.

"I'm trying to think of a word for [my performance] that's not obscene, but I can't," Williams told media, of her 6-4 6-7 (5) 6-4 defeat at Stanley Street.

"At least I can get out of these conditions so I can get somewhere better, and warmer weather too," she added.

"I would say it's my least favourite conditions I've ever played in. Again my opponent played in the exact same conditions - she was able to adjust better than me. She obviously did a much better job than I did. I really abhorred these conditions."

"I can take solace in the fact that the conditions won't be like this in Melbourne [for the Australian Open]. This is almost not a great opportunity to assess your game to be honest."

Madison Brengle and Serena Williams had a different approach, off-court, at the ASB Classic yesterday. Source: Youtube.

While someone with Williams' level of class should really rise above the conditions, especially when playing an inferior player, it sounds like it was incredibly tough going yesterday.

"The south-westerly wind was brutal," Dana Johannsen, of the New Zealand Herald, wrote. "The ball boys struggled to hold up umbrellas over the players during the breaks in play - with one even blowing inside out.

"The wind also displaced some of the courtside advertising hoardings, while a programme from one of the courtside boxes blew onto the court while a point was in play, further adding to Williams' frustration."

Williams isn't be the only one frustrated. So too was her sister Venus (withdrawing from the tournament earlier yesterday due to injury), ASB Classic organizer Karl Budge (his big star was gone early, and so too punters - and their cash - for later this week) and the fans themselves.

Players of Williams class never come to New Zealand, and, given the star player's comments on the conditions, you can't imagine they'll be rushing to book tickets any time soon, now.

Unless a retractable roof is put on Stanley Street sometime soon.