Venus not going anywhere despite U.S. Open defeat

Sept 7 2017; New York, NY, USA; Venus Williams of the USA hits to Sloane Stephens of the USA in Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Venus Williams rejected the suggestion she might be content to serve as an inspiration to younger players after her 6-1 0-6 7-5 defeat to fellow American Sloane Stephens in the semi-finals of the U.S. Open on Thursday.

The 37-year-old Williams was not amused when asked at her hastily-convened media conference if there was any consolation the younger generation of American players, three of whom made the semi-finals with her, have cited her as an inspiration.

Tennis - US Open - Semifinals - New York, U.S. - September 7, 2017 - Venus Williams of the United States reacts to lost point against Sloane Stephens of the United States. REUTERS/Mike Segar

"To be honest, I'm definitely here to win my matches, not for consolations," she said. "That definitely sums it up."

Asked about her plans for the immediate future, she was again succinct.

"I will continue to play tennis. It's nothing complicated."

Williams was undone by errors brought about by the defensive-minded Stephens, who managed to track down balls and stretched out rallies at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"It was definitely well competed," she said.

"In the end, she ended up winning more points than I did. That's what it adds up to."

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)