Johanna Konta doesn't feel like she lost to Venus Williams after her brave defeat in China, she said.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion from the United States completed a late comeback in the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open, winning 6-4 3-6 7-5 to eliminate the British representative.
Konta, the world No 66, defeated world No 2 Simona Halep in the previous round and, against Williams, led 5-3 in the deciding set but failed to serve out the match.
Although I was serving for the match, I definitely don't feel like I lost it.
"Although I was serving for the match, I definitely don't feel like I lost it," Konta told Sky Sports News HQ.
"She really raised her game and played some incredible tennis towards the end. She ended up being the better player out there. I feel really lucky that I got to share the court with such a champion."
The 24-year-old was a fan of Williams as she made her own way in the sport meaning Thursday's encounter in China was quite a moment for Konta.
But she insists that, when the first ball was served, she remained all business and treated the contest against her idol like any other.
"I grew up watching her so it was a childhood dream come true," Konta said.
"But those feelings were before the match - once I stepped on the court I definitely wanted to win and give my best out there. I did give my best, I left it all out there, but unfortunately it wasn't enough."
Konta will soon be confirmed as Great Britain's new No 1 after her remarkable run at the Wuhan Open, which came on the back of an encouraging fourth-round showing at the US Open.
She remains level-headed, however, claiming that she is more interested in results than her new ranking.
Konta said: "It's neither here nor there. It's a great achievement on paper but it's not something I actually look at. Rankings come and go, points come and go.
"I've had a lot of good matches here and I'm playing at a very high level so I'm happy with my overall performance."
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