Battered Serena Williams \'relieved\' Australian Open is over

Melbourne Serena Williams\' Australian Open ended with her ankle swollen to the size of a balloon, a spasming back and a quarter-final loss to a young pretender on Wednesday, a two week period that she described as the worst she had experienced at a grand slam.

\"I\'m almost relieved that it\'s over because there\'s only so much I felt I could do,\" the 15-times grand slam singles champion said after her 3-6 7-5 6-4 loss to compatriot Sloane Stephens on Rod Laver Arena.

\"Oh my gosh, it\'s been a little difficult. I\'ve been thrown a lot of balls these two weeks.

\"I\'ve had a tough two weeks between the ankle, which is like this big every day,\" she added gesturing with her hands. \"And my back, which started hurting. A lot of stuff.\"