Ajla Tomljanovic has disclosed she is unbothered by possibly losing her place in tennis history after Serena Williams’s surprise comeback announcement. The Australian defeated the American legend 7-5, 6-7(4-7), 6-1 in the third round of the 2022 US Open on 2 September, which was commonly considered to be Williams’s final match as a professional. However, with the 23-time Grand Slam champion poised to return to tournament play in women’s doubles at Queen’s Club this week, Tomljanovic will no longer have the distinction of being the final player to defeat Williams on court. Speaking to BBC Sport, the 33-year-old expressed satisfaction with the development, emphasising that the memory of her triumph holds far greater meaning to her than any historical footnote.
The Contest That Shouldn’t Have Been Final
The third-round fixture at Arthur Ashe Stadium on that evening in September was absolutely extraordinary. Williams had announced her intention to “evolve away” from tennis in a Vogue essay a few weeks before, and the US Open was to be her farewell tournament. The occasion attracted an distinguished audience, with Billie Jean King, Spike Lee and Rebel Wilson among the 24,000 spectators who filled the stadium. Three hours and five minutes of compelling tennis took place as Tomljanovic and Williams battled through a thrilling contest that seemed destined to mark the close of an era.
The match swung back and forth with significant swings in momentum. Williams saved five match points before finally losing to Tomljanovic’s composed display. The American had served for the first set before dropping four games in a row, whilst in the second set she fought back from 4-0 deficit to force a tie-break, which she won. However, Tomljanovic showed too much composure in the decider, racing away to seal victory 6-1. The Australian’s emotional fortitude throughout the encounter was impressive, as she handled the immense tension and emotion of the moment.
- Williams converted away five match points during the three-hour contest
- Final score was 7-5, 6-7(4-7), 6-1 to Tomljanovic
- Just under 24,000 fans attended the historic US Open match
- Match went on for three hours and five minutes of competitive tennis
A Magnanimous Victor Accepts New Addition
Tomljanovic’s measured perspective to possibly relinquishing her place in tennis history says much about her character and perspective on sport. When she became aware of Williams’s comeback plans, the Australian received the news with equanimity rather than frustration. At 33 years old, she demonstrates the maturity to recognise that historical records matter considerably less than the actual experience of playing at the elite level. Her willingness to relinquish the distinction of being the final player to beat Williams shows a refreshing absence of ego, especially considering the scale of that achievement and the circumstances surrounding it.
The prospect of letting go of this unique footnote in tennis history appears to bring Tomljanovic authentic satisfaction. Speaking frankly on 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 greatest athletes. This perspective reflects a sophisticated grasp that sporting legacy extends far beyond record books and statistics, encompassing instead the memories and experiences that shape a player’s career.
Appreciating the Present Over the Documentation
When reflecting on her victory to BBC Sport at Indian Wells in March, Tomljanovic articulated her conflicted emotions with notable frankness. She acknowledged experiencing conflict during and immediately after the match, keenly conscious that she was defeating someone she had greatly respected and held in high regard across her playing career. Yet she also acknowledged the exceptional significance of the accomplishment itself. The win surpassed simple record-breaking; it constituted the pinnacle of her psychological strength, strategic sharpness, and fighting spirit on one of tennis’s grandest stages against its toughest opponent.
Tomljanovic’s statements reveal a player who understands the genuine importance of her display exists not in enduring documentation but in the distinctiveness of the occasion. She expressed genuine contentment with the prospect of possibly being removed from the record books, stressing that the recollection of taking part in such an outstanding performance will remain regardless. “I’ll likely not play a game like that again and that’s something that I cherish because it’s very unique,” she reflected, conveying the essence of why the win itself signifies infinitely more to her than any mention in tennis history.
The Spectacle 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, bidding farewell to professional tennis, faced Ajla Tomljanovic in a match that would shape the legacies of both competitors 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 significance it warranted. 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, fate would take an unexpected turn.
The match itself proved to be a masterclass in tennis drama, lasting three hours and five minutes before a near-capacity crowd of 24,000 spectators. Williams displayed the resilience that had characterised her career, converting five match points during the contest—a testament to her competitive spirit and technical skill. 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 handle the magnitude of the moment, remaining unaffected by the historical significance 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 Five Match Points
Williams had appeared in control during crucial phases of the match, serving for the first set before losing four consecutive games in a dramatic reversal of fortune. She subsequently led 4-0 in the second set, apparently positioned to secure a deciding set, yet Tomljanovic mounted an impressive fightback. The Australian’s determination forced a tie-break, which Williams finally secured, extending the contest into a determining third set. Throughout these shifts, the devoted audience remained deeply invested in Williams’s parting story, creating an emotionally charged environment that challenged both competitors’ mental fortitude.
Tomljanovic’s ability to save several break opportunities and withstand Williams’s attacking sequences proved decisive in the closing set, where she took command decisively. The third set saw Tomljanovic prevail 6-1, finally extinguishing Williams’s chances of prolonging her remarkable career. Despite the outcome being celebrated as Williams’s last professional outing, Tomljanovic’s composed demeanour during the match reflected her understanding of the occasion’s significance. She had done more than beat an opponent; she had participated in a momentous sporting occasion, producing a display amid intense pressure that would define her legacy.
What Awaits for Tennis Royalty
Williams’s unexpected return to tournament play at Queen’s Club this coming week has fundamentally altered the story about her career path. Rather than the final goodbye that appeared certain on that September evening in New York, the 44-year-old American has decided to prolong her competitive chapter through a doubles partnership. This return to play, whilst modest in scope compared to her illustrious singles career, represents a striking demonstration 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 new phase unfolds.
For Tomljanovic, the weight of her US Open victory stands firm whether or not Williams plays again. The Australian has gone on to progress impressively in professional tennis, reaching the quarter-finals at that same tournament and cementing her status as a fierce rival on the WTA Tour. Her philosophical approach to possibly losing her place in the history books showcases a wisdom and outlook that goes far beyond individual accolades. Rather than holding onto 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 the Queen’s Club this week
- Tomljanovic reached the 2022 United States Open quarter-finals following a victory over Williams
- The Australian stays unfazed by possibly losing her historic record