Ajla Tomljanovic has stated she is unconcerned by potentially forfeiting her spot in the tennis record books following Serena Williams’s unexpected return announcement. The Australian beat the American legend 7-5, 6-7(4-7), 6-1 in the third round of the 2022 US Open on 2 September, what was generally thought to be Williams’s last professional match. However, with the 23-time Grand Slam champion preparing to return to tournament play in women’s doubles at Queen’s Club this coming week, Tomljanovic will no longer have the accolade of being the last person to beat Williams on court. Speaking to BBC Sport, the 33-year-old expressed contentment with the outcome, stressing that the memory of her triumph holds far greater meaning to her than any place in the record books.
The Contest That Wasn’t Meant to Be Final
The third-round encounter at Arthur Ashe Stadium on that evening in September was truly 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 drew 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 thrilling play took place as Tomljanovic and Williams contested a thrilling contest that seemed destined to mark the end of an era.
The match swung back and forth with significant swings in momentum. Williams saved five match points before eventually falling 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 came back from 4-0 behind to take it to a tie-break, which she won. However, Tomljanovic remained too calm in the decider, pulling clear to seal victory 6-1. The Australian’s mental resilience throughout the encounter was remarkable, as she coped with the extraordinary pressure and emotion of the moment.
- Williams converted away five match points throughout the 3-hour contest
- Final score was 7-5, 6-7(4-7), 6-1 to Tomljanovic
- Nearly 24,000 fans attended the memorable US Open encounter
- Match lasted 3 hours and 5 minutes of competitive tennis
A Magnanimous Winner Embraces New Addition
Tomljanovic’s philosophical outlook to possibly relinquishing her place in tennis history says much about her character and perspective on sport. When she discovered Williams’s comeback plans, the Australian received the news with equanimity rather than disappointment. At 33 years old, she demonstrates the maturity to acknowledge that records in history matter far less than the actual experience of competing at the elite level. Her readiness to surrender the honour of being the final player to beat Williams demonstrates a refreshing absence of ego, especially considering the magnitude of that victory and the context in which it occurred.
The prospect of no longer holding this unique footnote in tennis history appears to bring Tomljanovic genuine contentment. Speaking openly regarding the situation, she revealed that she was never fixated by the historical significance of her achievement. Instead, she has decided to emphasise 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 mature understanding that sporting legacy extends much further than record books and statistics, encompassing instead the memories and experiences that shape a player’s career.
Appreciating the Present Over the Achievement
When reflecting on her victory to BBC Sport at Indian Wells in March, Tomljanovic expressed her conflicted emotions with remarkable candour. She recognised feeling torn throughout and just after the match, keenly conscious that she was overcoming someone she had long admired and held in high regard throughout her career. Yet she also recognised the exceptional significance of the accomplishment itself. The win transcended simple record-breaking; it constituted the culmination of her psychological strength, tactical acuity, and competitive spirit on one of tennis’s grandest stages against its most formidable competitor.
Tomljanovic’s statements reveal a player who grasps the real worth of her display rests not in enduring documentation but in the distinctiveness of the moment. She conveyed real satisfaction with the possibility of possibly being removed from the official rankings, highlighting that the memory of taking part in such an outstanding performance will persist in any case. “I’ll likely not play a contest like that again and that’s something that I cherish because it’s very unique,” she commented, expressing the essence of why the win itself signifies infinitely more to her than any footnote in tennis history.
The Spectacle of That Memorable 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 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 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 packed audience of 24,000 spectators. Williams demonstrated the resilience that had defined her career, converting five match points during the contest—a testament to her fighting spirit and technical prowess. However, Tomljanovic rose to meet the occasion, remaining mentally composed throughout the encounter and taking advantage of 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 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 5 Match Points
Williams had demonstrated control during key moments of the match, serving for the first set before dropping four straight games in a unexpected shift in momentum. She subsequently led 4-0 in the second set, seemingly poised to force a decider, yet Tomljanovic engineered an strong recovery. The Australian’s resilience forced a tie-break, which Williams ultimately won, extending the contest into a final set. Throughout these shifts, the engaged spectators remained emotionally committed in Williams’s final chapter, creating an intensely felt environment that strained both competitors’ psychological strength.
Tomljanovic’s ability to save several break opportunities and withstand Williams’s attacking sequences proved decisive in the closing set, where she seized control with authority. The final set saw Tomljanovic dominate 6-1, ultimately ending Williams’s chances of prolonging her storied career. Although widely celebrated as Williams’s final professional match, Tomljanovic’s composed demeanour throughout the contest demonstrated her awareness of the moment’s importance. She had not merely defeated an opponent; she had participated in a momentous sporting occasion, delivering a performance under extraordinary pressure that would shape her legacy.
What Lies Ahead for Tennis Royalty
Williams’s unexpected return to tournament play at Queen’s Club this coming week has fundamentally altered the narrative surrounding her career path. Rather than the final goodbye 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 celebrated singles career, represents a striking demonstration to her lasting competitive drive and unwillingness to embrace a ending she had not entirely orchestrated herself. The tennis world watches with intrigue to see how this new phase unfolds.
For Tomljanovic, the importance of her US Open victory remains intact irrespective of Williams plays again. The Australian has since progressed impressively through the professional ranks, making the quarter-finals at that same tournament and positioning herself as a strong contender on the WTA Tour. Her thoughtful stance to possibly losing her place in the history books showcases a wisdom and outlook that extends beyond individual accolades. Rather than holding onto a distinction, she has decided to embrace the extraordinary nature of the match itself and the distinctive context surrounding it, a perspective that reveals much about her character and grasp of sport’s wider significance.
- Williams competes in women’s double competition at Queen’s Club this week
- Tomljanovic reached the 2022 US Open quarter-final round following a victory over Williams
- The Australian continues to be unfazed by the prospect of losing her record-making status