Anett Kontaveit cries, leaves press conference after loss to Serena Williams

It's beyond understandable that Serena Williams is dominating tennis and sports headlines during the U.S. Open. 

The 40-year-old living legend revealed last month that she could retire as soon as the ongoing Grand Slam ends but has thus far notched singles victories over Danka Kovinic and No. 2-ranked Anett Kontaveit, the second of which happened on Wednesday evening. 

Williams has 23 career Grand Slam singles titles on her résumé, one shy of the all-time record in that category held by Margaret Court, but will make a different type of history Thursday when she and older sister Venus Williams participate in the inaugural first-round U.S. Open doubles match held at Arthur Ashe Stadium. 

However, one shouldn't forget that opponents such as Kontaveit did little to be seen as villains in New York other than that they are playing against an icon who may soon be riding off into the sunset. 

As Justin Terranova pointed out for the New York Post, Kontaveit admitted when asked a question in her native tongue during her post-match press conference that facing Williams in such an environment was emotionally overwhelming. Fans seemed to cheer whenever the 26-year-old Estonian made unforced errors and/or gifted Williams points during the match.

"I mean, it was hard … it was something I never experienced before," Kontaveit explained. "I don’t think it’s a personal attack against me or anything. I mean, it’s fair. I definitely had no shame losing to Serena. It was very difficult with the crowd."