Ajla Tomljanovic has revealed she is unbothered by possibly losing her spot in the tennis record books following Serena Williams’s surprising comeback declaration. The Australian beat the American legend 7-5, 6-7(4-7), 6-1 in the third-round match of the 2022 US Open on 2 September, what was commonly considered to be Williams’s last professional match. However, as the 23-time Grand Slam champion set to return to competitive action in women’s doubles at Queen’s Club in the coming days, Tomljanovic will no longer have the distinction of being the last person to beat Williams during a match. Speaking to BBC Sport, the 33-year-old expressed satisfaction with the situation, stressing that the recollection of her win is far more significant to her than any historical distinction.
The Contest That Wasn’t Final
The third-round fixture at Arthur Ashe Stadium on that evening in September was truly extraordinary. Williams had declared her plan to “evolve away” from tennis in a Vogue essay just weeks earlier, and the US Open was to be her last competition. The occasion drew an impressive gathering, with Billie Jean King, Spike Lee and Rebel Wilson among the 24,000 spectators who filled the stadium. Three hours and five minutes of gripping tennis took place as Tomljanovic and Williams fought in a gripping match that seemed destined to mark the close of an era.
The match ebbed and flowed with dramatic momentum shifts. Williams saved five match points before eventually falling to Tomljanovic’s clinical performance. The American had served for the first set before surrendering four straight games, whilst in the second set she recovered from 4-0 down to force a tie-break, which she won. However, Tomljanovic showed too much composure in the decider, surging ahead to seal victory 6-1. The Australian’s psychological strength throughout the encounter was impressive, as she handled the extraordinary pressure and emotion of the moment.
- Williams converted away 5 crucial break points throughout the 3-hour match
- Final score was 7–5, 6–7(4–7), 6–1 to Tomljanovic
- Nearly 24,000 spectators attended the historic US Open encounter
- Match lasted 3 hours and 5 minutes of competitive tennis
A Gracious Winner Embraces Fresh Footnote
Tomljanovic’s thoughtful approach to possibly relinquishing her place in tennis history speaks volumes about her values and outlook on sport. When she learned of Williams’s comeback plans, the Australian received the news with composure rather than frustration. At 33 years old, she demonstrates the wisdom to recognise that records in history matter considerably less than the lived experience of playing at the highest level. Her readiness to surrender the honour of being the final player to beat Williams shows a commendable lack of self-interest, particularly given the scale of that achievement and the circumstances surrounding it.
The prospect of no longer holding this unique footnote in tennis history appears to bring Tomljanovic genuine contentment. Speaking candidly about the situation, she revealed that she had never been preoccupied with the historical significance of her achievement. Instead, she has opted to concentrate on the intrinsic value of the moment itself—the display, the demands, and the victory against one of sport’s finest competitors. This perspective reflects a mature understanding that sporting legacy extends well past record books and statistics, embracing rather the memories and experiences that shape a player’s career.
Savoring the Here and Now Over the Achievement
When considering her victory to BBC Sport at Indian Wells in March, Tomljanovic expressed her mixed feelings with remarkable candour. She admitted experiencing conflict during and immediately after the match, keenly conscious that she was defeating someone she had deeply valued and looked up to across her playing career. Yet she also acknowledged the extraordinary nature of the achievement itself. The win went beyond mere history-making; it represented the pinnacle of her mental fortitude, strategic sharpness, and fighting spirit on one of the sport’s greatest arenas against its toughest opponent.
Tomljanovic’s observations demonstrate a player who understands the genuine importance of her performance lies not in lasting records but in the singular nature of the experience. She conveyed real satisfaction with the potential of potentially being displaced from the official rankings, emphasising that the memory of playing such an remarkable contest will remain regardless. “I’ll almost certainly never take part in a contest like that again and that’s something that I cherish because it’s very unique,” she noted, expressing the core of why the win itself matters considerably more to her than any mention in the sport’s records.
The Intensity of That Remarkable Evening
The third round of the 2022 US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium provided the stage for one of tennis’s most intensely dramatic encounters. Serena Williams, saying goodbye to professional tennis, faced Ajla Tomljanovic in a match that would define both players’ legacies in distinctly different ways. The atmosphere was charged with energy, with celebrities including Billie Jean King, Spike Lee, and Rebel Wilson in attendance, lending the occasion the gravitas it deserved. Williams had already overcome formidable opposition in the tournament, with Tiger Woods witnessing her impressive win over second seed Anett Kontaveit just two nights earlier. Yet on this Friday evening in New York, destiny would take an unexpected turn.
The match itself proved to be a masterclass in tennis drama, lasting three hours and five minutes before a packed audience of 24,000 spectators. Williams demonstrated the resilience that had characterised her career, converting five match points during the contest—a testament to her competitive spirit and technical prowess. However, Tomljanovic proved equal to the occasion, staying focused throughout the encounter and capitalising on her opportunities when they arose. The Australian’s composed display under such intense pressure showcased her ability to manage the magnitude of the moment, remaining unaffected by the momentous nature of facing the greatest player of the modern era.
| Set | Score |
|---|---|
| First Set | 7-5 to Tomljanovic |
| Second Set | 6-7 (4-7) to Williams |
| Third Set | 6-1 to Tomljanovic |
| Match Duration | 3 hours 5 minutes |
A Divided Crowd and 5 Match Points
Williams had demonstrated control during key moments of the match, serving for the first set before surrendering four games in a row in a stunning turn of events. She afterwards led 4-0 in the second set, ostensibly set to secure a deciding set, yet Tomljanovic engineered an strong recovery. The Australian’s resilience forced a tie-break, which Williams eventually claimed, pushing the contest into a decisive third set. Throughout these swings, the partisan crowd remained fully engaged in Williams’s parting story, generating an intensely felt environment that strained both competitors’ mental fortitude.
Tomljanovic’s ability to save several break opportunities and weather Williams’s attacking sequences proved decisive in the closing set, where she seized control with authority. The final set saw Tomljanovic dominate 6-1, finally extinguishing Williams’s hopes of extending her storied career. Despite the outcome being celebrated as Williams’s last professional outing, Tomljanovic’s composed demeanour throughout the contest demonstrated her awareness of the moment’s importance. She had done more than beat an rival; she had participated in a momentous sporting occasion, delivering a performance under extraordinary pressure that would shape her legacy.
What Awaits for Tennis Royalty
Williams’s unexpected return to tournament play at Queen’s Club this coming week has significantly changed the narrative surrounding her career path. Rather than the definitive farewell that appeared certain on that September evening in New York, the 44-year-old American has chosen to extend her competitive chapter through a doubles pairing. This comeback, whilst modest in scope compared to her illustrious singles career, constitutes a remarkable testament to her enduring competitive spirit and refusal to accept a conclusion she had not entirely orchestrated herself. The tennis world observes with keen interest to see how this fresh chapter unfolds.
For Tomljanovic, the importance of her US Open victory remains intact regardless of Williams plays again. The Australian has subsequently advanced impressively in professional tennis, making the quarter-finals at that same tournament and establishing herself as a fierce rival on the WTA Tour. Her philosophical approach to possibly losing her place in the history books showcases a composure and understanding that goes far beyond individual accolades. Rather than clinging to a distinction, she has decided to embrace the exceptional character of the match itself and the unique circumstances surrounding it, a perspective that speaks volumes about her character and grasp of sport’s wider significance.
- Williams takes part in women’s doubles at Queen’s Club this coming week
- Tomljanovic made it to the 2022 US Open quarter-finals by defeating Williams
- The Australian remains untroubled by potentially losing her historic record