Ajla Tomljanovic has disclosed she is unconcerned by possibly losing her spot in the tennis record books in the wake of Serena Williams’s surprising comeback declaration. The Australian defeated the American icon 7-5, 6-7(4-7), 6-1 in the third-round match of the 2022 US Open on 2 September, which was generally thought to be Williams’s last professional match. However, with the 23-time Grand Slam title winner preparing to return to competitive action in women’s doubles at Queen’s Club in the coming days, Tomljanovic will no longer possess the honour of holding the record of having beaten Williams during a match. In an interview with BBC Sport, the 33-year-old voiced her contentment with the development, emphasising that the memory of her victory holds far greater meaning to her than any historical distinction.
The Game That Wasn’t Meant to Be Final
The third-round match 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 farewell tournament. The occasion attracted an impressive gathering, with Billie Jean King, Spike Lee and Rebel Wilson among the 24,000 spectators who packed the stadium. Three hours and five minutes of thrilling play took place as Tomljanovic and Williams battled through a thrilling contest that looked certain to mark the conclusion of an era.
The match fluctuated with significant swings in momentum. Williams held off five match points before eventually falling to Tomljanovic’s assured execution. The American was serving 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 secure the win 6-1. The Australian’s mental resilience throughout the encounter was impressive, as she coped with the intense pressure and emotion of the moment.
- Williams saved 5 crucial break points during the three-hour match
- Final score was 7–5, 6–7(4–7), 6–1 to Tomljanovic
- Nearly 24,000 fans witnessed the memorable US Open match
- The contest lasted 3 hours and 5 minutes of competitive tennis
A Gracious Winner Receives New Addition
Tomljanovic’s thoughtful approach to potentially losing her place in tennis history speaks volumes about her character and perspective on sport. When she learned of Williams’s return to competition, the Australian received the news with equanimity rather than disappointment. At 33 years old, she possesses the maturity to acknowledge that records in history matter considerably less than the lived experience of playing at the elite level. Her willingness to relinquish the distinction of being the final player to beat Williams shows a commendable lack of self-interest, 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 genuine contentment. Speaking candidly about 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 mature understanding that sporting legacy extends much further than record books and statistics, incorporating instead the memories and experiences that shape a player’s career.
Treasuring the Present Rather Than the Record
When considering her win to BBC Sport at Indian Wells in March, Tomljanovic articulated her mixed feelings with remarkable candour. She admitted experiencing conflict throughout and just after the match, keenly conscious that she was overcoming someone she had deeply valued and looked up to throughout her career. Yet she also acknowledged the extraordinary nature of the accomplishment itself. The win transcended simple record-breaking; it represented the pinnacle of her emotional resilience, strategic sharpness, and fighting spirit on one of the sport’s greatest arenas against its most formidable competitor.
Tomljanovic’s remarks reveal a player who understands the true value of her showing exists not in historical permanence but in the uniqueness of the experience. She conveyed real satisfaction with the possibility of eventually being superseded from the official rankings, emphasising that the remembrance of playing such an remarkable contest will remain in any case. “I’ll likely not take part in a match like that again and that’s something that I cherish because it’s very unique,” she noted, capturing the heart of why the victory itself matters considerably more to her than any reference in tennis history.
The Spectacle of That Unforgettable 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 present, lending the occasion the significance it warranted. 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, destiny would take an unexpected turn.
The match itself proved to be a masterclass in tennis drama, stretching across 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 skill. However, Tomljanovic proved equal to the occasion, remaining mentally composed 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, refusing to be 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 Biased Crowd and 5 Match Points
Williams had appeared in control during crucial phases of the match, competing for the first set before losing four consecutive games in a dramatic reversal of fortune. She afterwards led 4-0 in the second set, ostensibly set to secure a deciding set, yet Tomljanovic mounted an strong recovery. The Australian’s mental strength forced a tie-break, which Williams eventually claimed, pushing the contest into a determining third set. Throughout these shifts, the devoted audience remained deeply invested in Williams’s parting story, creating an intensely felt environment that tested both competitors’ emotional resilience.
Tomljanovic’s ability to save several break opportunities and weather Williams’s attacking sequences proved decisive in the final set, where she seized control decisively. The final set saw Tomljanovic prevail 6-1, ultimately ending Williams’s hopes of extending her remarkable career. Despite the outcome being 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 momentous sporting occasion, delivering a performance amid intense pressure that would define her legacy.
What Comes Next 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 trajectory. Rather than the definitive farewell that seemed assured on that September evening in New York, the 44-year-old American has decided to prolong her competitive chapter through a doubles pairing. This comeback, whilst modest in scope compared to her illustrious singles career, represents a striking demonstration to her lasting competitive drive and unwillingness to embrace 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 significance of her US Open victory endures regardless of Williams plays again. The Australian has gone on to progress impressively through the professional ranks, reaching the quarter-finals at that same tournament and positioning herself as a fierce rival on the WTA Tour. Her thoughtful stance to possibly losing her place in the history books demonstrates a composure and understanding that extends beyond individual accolades. Rather than clinging to a distinction, she has opted to honour the remarkable quality of the match itself and the unique circumstances surrounding it, a perspective that says a great deal about her character and grasp of sport’s wider significance.
- Williams participates in women’s double competition at the Queen’s Club this coming week
- Tomljanovic made it to the 2022 US Open quarter-finals by defeating Williams
- The Australian stays untroubled by possibly losing her historic record