Ajla Tomljanovic has stated she is unfazed 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 last professional match. However, with the 23-time Grand Slam title winner preparing to return to competitive play in the women’s doubles at Queen’s Club this coming week, Tomljanovic will no longer hold the honour of being the final player to defeat Williams in competition. In an interview with BBC Sport, the 33-year-old expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stressing that the memory of her victory is far more significant to her than any place in the record books.
The Game That Wasn’t Final
The third-round fixture at Arthur Ashe Stadium on that evening in September was absolutely extraordinary. Williams had made clear her desire to “evolve away” from tennis in a Vogue essay a few weeks before, and the US Open was to be her final tournament. The occasion attracted an impressive gathering, with Billie Jean King, Spike Lee and Rebel Wilson among the 24,000 people who packed the stadium. Three hours and five minutes of thrilling play unfolded as Tomljanovic and Williams contested a thrilling contest that seemed destined to mark the close of an era.
The match fluctuated with dramatic momentum shifts. Williams saved five match points before finally losing to Tomljanovic’s assured execution. The American was serving for the first set before losing four consecutive games, whilst in the second set she came back from 4-0 behind to force a tie-break, which she won. However, Tomljanovic remained too calm in the decider, racing away to seal victory 6-1. The Australian’s psychological strength throughout the encounter was impressive, as she managed the immense tension and emotion of the moment.
- Williams saved 5 crucial break points during the 3-hour contest
- Final score was 7-5, 6-7(4-7), 6-1 to Tomljanovic
- Just under 24,000 spectators witnessed the memorable US Open match
- Match went on for three hours and five minutes of intense tennis
A Generous Victor Accepts New Footnote
Tomljanovic’s thoughtful approach to possibly relinquishing her position within tennis history says much about her values and outlook on sport. When she learned of Williams’s return to competition, the Australian accepted the news with equanimity rather than disappointment. At 33 years old, she demonstrates the maturity to recognise that records in history matter considerably less than the lived experience of competing at the elite level. Her readiness to surrender the distinction of being the last person to defeat Williams demonstrates a commendable lack of self-interest, especially considering the scale of that achievement and the context in which it occurred.
The prospect of relinquishing this unique footnote in tennis history appears to bring Tomljanovic genuine contentment. Speaking frankly on the situation, she revealed that she was never fixated by the historical significance of her achievement. Instead, she has opted to concentrate on the intrinsic value of the moment itself—the performance, the pressure, and the triumph against one of sport’s finest competitors. This perspective reflects a sophisticated grasp that sporting legacy extends much further than record books and statistics, embracing rather the memories and experiences that shape a player’s career.
Appreciating the Moment Over the Record
When reviewing her victory to BBC Sport at Indian Wells in March, Tomljanovic expressed her mixed feelings with notable frankness. She admitted experiencing conflict during and immediately after the match, acutely aware that she was defeating someone she had deeply valued and looked up to throughout her career. Yet she also understood the remarkable scale of the success itself. The win went beyond simple record-breaking; it represented the pinnacle of her psychological strength, strategic sharpness, and competitive spirit on one of the sport’s greatest arenas against its toughest opponent.
Tomljanovic’s observations reveal a player who recognises the real worth of her showing exists not in lasting records but in the distinctiveness of the moment. She demonstrated genuine pleasure with the potential of potentially being displaced from the official rankings, highlighting that the remembrance of playing such an remarkable contest will endure regardless. “I’ll probably never play a contest like that again and that’s something that I cherish because it’s very unique,” she noted, capturing the heart of why the win itself counts considerably more to her than any footnote in the sport’s records.
The Drama of That Unforgettable Evening
The third round of the 2022 US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium served as the venue for one of tennis’s most emotionally charged 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 gravitas it deserved. Williams had already overcome formidable opposition in the tournament, with Tiger Woods witnessing her stunning victory 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 competitive spirit and technical prowess. However, Tomljanovic proved equal to the occasion, remaining mentally composed throughout the encounter and capitalising on her opportunities when they arose. The Australian’s clinical performance 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 Biased Crowd and 5 Match Points
Williams had shown control during critical stages of the match, competing for the first set before losing four consecutive games in a stunning turn of events. She subsequently led 4-0 in the second set, apparently positioned to push the match to a final set, yet Tomljanovic orchestrated an remarkable comeback. The Australian’s mental strength forced a tie-break, which Williams eventually claimed, taking the contest into a decisive third set. Throughout these shifts, the devoted audience remained emotionally committed in Williams’s final chapter, generating an intensely felt environment that strained both competitors’ psychological strength.
Tomljanovic’s ability to save several break opportunities and withstand Williams’s attacking sequences was decisive in the final set, where she seized control decisively. The third set saw Tomljanovic prevail 6-1, finally extinguishing Williams’s chances of prolonging her remarkable career. Although widely celebrated as Williams’s last professional outing, Tomljanovic’s calm composure during the match demonstrated her awareness of the moment’s importance. She had done more than beat an opponent; she had participated in a historic sporting moment, delivering a performance amid intense pressure that would shape her legacy.
What Comes Next for Tennis Royalty
Williams’s surprising return to tournament play at Queen’s Club this week has fundamentally altered the story about her career trajectory. 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 playing career through a doubles pairing. This return to play, whilst modest in scope compared to her illustrious singles career, constitutes a striking demonstration to her lasting competitive drive and refusal to accept a ending she had not entirely controlled herself. The tennis world observes with keen interest to see how this fresh chapter unfolds.
For Tomljanovic, the weight of her US Open victory endures regardless of Williams plays again. The Australian has since progressed impressively up the professional ladder, reaching the quarter-finals at that same tournament and cementing her status as a fierce rival on the WTA Tour. Her philosophical approach to the prospect of losing her place in the history books reflects a maturity and perspective that goes far beyond individual accolades. Rather than holding onto a distinction, she has opted to honour the extraordinary nature of the match itself and the distinctive context surrounding it, a perspective that speaks volumes about her character and understanding of sport’s deeper meaning.
- Williams takes part in women’s double competition at the Queen’s Club this week
- Tomljanovic advanced to the 2022 United States Open quarter-final round after defeating Williams
- The Australian continues to be unbothered by possibly losing her historical distinction