The night Williams lost the plot and lost her dream

ONE TO REMEMBER OUR WRITERS PICK GAVIN BERRY’S

FOR the first time in the 50-year history of the US Open officials were forced to introduce the Extreme Heat Policy at a furnacelike Flushing Meadows.

Players were dropping like flies in the early stages as they were left gasping for air and fans also struggled to cope in the boiling Big Apple.

Even Roger Federer broke a sweat so that tells you just how bad it was.

“It’s uncomfortable,” said the usually ice-cool Swiss after his shock fourth-round loss to Aussie John Millman.

Federer delivered one of his Grand Slam displays and said of conditions: “Clearly you just keep on sweating more and more and more and more as the match goes on. You lose energy as it goes by.”

Thermometers nudged 36C at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the sweltering afternoon sessions yet temperatures rose more than ever one evening.

It was certainly cooler, albeit the stifling humidity was an issue, at night but this particular meltdown had nothing to do with conditions.

While the US Open might have been taken by surprise with the rising temperatures, nobody could have forecast the Serena Storm dominated the final major of the season.

The 36-year-old was chasing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam and her first since giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia.

Having almost died after pregnancy complications, the stage was set in the American’s home Slam for a remarkable fairytale.

The final took place six months to the very day Serena made her tennis comepoorest back following her near-death experience.

It’s easy to understand why victory meant so much to her but it doesn’t excuse her astonishing reaction as it slipped away from her as she was outclassed by rising Japanese star Naomi Osaka.

This was a night where one of the biggest sporting superstars in the world acted like a spoiled brat in front of a stunned Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Covering the event for Record Sport it was jawdropping stuff before quickly realising deadline was fast approaching due to the time difference and it was time to kick into action.

Williams became embroiled in a furious row with the Portuguese umpire Carlos Ramos after receiving a code violation, prompting an angry reaction that saw her smash her racquet.

She then branded the chair man a “liar” and a “thief” as she was given a game penalty in front of a 20,000 crowd and millions more watching the tirade on TV.

The sight of Williams in tears as she demanded to