Ajla Tomljanovic has disclosed she is unconcerned by potentially losing her spot in the tennis record books following Serena Williams’s surprising comeback declaration. The Australian overcame the American icon 7-5, 6-7(4-7), 6-1 in the third-round match of the 2022 US Open on 2 September, what was widely believed to be Williams’s final match as a professional. However, with the 23-time Grand Slam champion set to return to competitive action in the women’s doubles at Queen’s Club this week, Tomljanovic will no longer have the distinction of being the last person to beat Williams in competition. In an interview with BBC Sport, the 33-year-old expressed satisfaction with the development, highlighting that the memory of her victory 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 fixture at Arthur Ashe Stadium on that September evening was nothing short of extraordinary. Williams had announced her intention to “evolve away” from tennis in a Vogue essay just weeks earlier, and the US Open was to be her final tournament. The occasion drew an illustrious crowd, with Billie Jean King, Spike Lee and Rebel Wilson among the 24,000 spectators who packed 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 conclusion of an era.
The match ebbed and flowed with pronounced changes in tempo. Williams defended five match points before ultimately succumbing to Tomljanovic’s clinical performance. The American was serving 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 secure the win 6-1. The Australian’s psychological strength throughout the encounter was noteworthy, as she managed the extraordinary pressure and emotion of the moment.
- Williams converted away five match points during the 3-hour contest
- Final score was 7-5, 6-7(4-7), 6-1 to Tomljanovic
- Just under 24,000 fans witnessed the historic US Open encounter
- Match lasted three hours and five minutes of competitive tennis
A Gracious Winner Embraces New Addition
Tomljanovic’s philosophical outlook to potentially losing her place in tennis history says much about her values and outlook on sport. When she learned of Williams’s return to competition, the Australian received the news with composure rather than disappointment. At 33 years old, she possesses the maturity to recognise that records in history matter far less than the actual experience of competing at the highest level. Her willingness to relinquish the distinction of being the final player to beat Williams reflects a commendable lack of self-interest, particularly given 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 real fulfilment. Speaking candidly about the situation, she revealed that she had never dwelt on 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 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 win to BBC Sport at Indian Wells in March, Tomljanovic articulated her conflicted emotions with remarkable candour. She acknowledged experiencing conflict during and immediately after the match, painfully mindful that she was overcoming someone she had deeply valued and looked up to across her playing career. Yet she also recognised the extraordinary nature of the success itself. The win went beyond mere history-making; it represented the culmination of her mental fortitude, tactical intelligence, and fighting spirit on one of tennis’s grandest stages against its greatest rival.
Tomljanovic’s statements demonstrate a player who recognises the real worth of her display lies not in enduring documentation but in the uniqueness of the experience. She demonstrated genuine pleasure with the possibility of possibly being removed from the historical records, stressing that the recollection of taking part in such an exceptional match will remain nonetheless. “I’ll probably never take part in a match like that again and that’s something that I cherish because it’s very unique,” she reflected, expressing the essence of why the victory itself counts infinitely more to her than any mention in tennis’s historical record.
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 emotionally charged encounters. Serena Williams, saying goodbye to professional tennis, faced Ajla Tomljanovic in a match that would shape the legacies of both competitors in distinctly different ways. The atmosphere was electric, 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, fate would take an unexpected turn.
The match itself became a masterclass in tennis drama, stretching across three hours and five minutes before a near-capacity crowd of 24,000 spectators. Williams demonstrated the resilience that had characterised her career, saving five match points during the contest—a testament to her competitive spirit and technical skill. However, Tomljanovic rose to meet 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 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 Divided Crowd and 5 Match Points
Williams had demonstrated control during crucial phases of the match, serving for the first set before losing four consecutive games in a unexpected shift in momentum. She then led 4-0 in the second set, apparently positioned to push the match to a final set, yet Tomljanovic mounted an impressive fightback. The Australian’s resilience forced a tie-break, which Williams eventually claimed, taking the contest into a decisive third set. Throughout these shifts, the partisan crowd remained emotionally committed in Williams’s final chapter, generating an emotionally charged environment that challenged both competitors’ mental fortitude.
Tomljanovic’s capacity to convert multiple break points and weather Williams’s counterattacks was decisive in the closing set, where she seized control with authority. The third set saw Tomljanovic dominate 6-1, finally extinguishing Williams’s chances of prolonging her remarkable career. Despite the outcome being celebrated as Williams’s final professional match, Tomljanovic’s composed demeanour during the match reflected her understanding of the moment’s importance. She had not merely defeated an rival; she had participated in a historic sporting moment, delivering a performance 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 week has significantly changed the story about her career path. Rather than the definitive farewell that seemed assured on that September evening in New York, the 44-year-old American has chosen to extend her competitive chapter through a doubles partnership. This comeback, whilst modest in scope compared to her celebrated 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 fresh chapter unfolds.
For Tomljanovic, the weight of her US Open victory remains intact regardless of Williams plays again. The Australian has subsequently advanced impressively up the professional ladder, making the quarter-finals at that same tournament and establishing herself as a fierce rival on the WTA Tour. Her thoughtful stance to possibly losing her place in the history books showcases a composure and understanding that goes far beyond individual accolades. Rather than holding onto a distinction, she has opted to honour the exceptional character of the match itself and the particular situation surrounding it, a perspective that speaks volumes about her character and grasp of sport’s wider significance.
- Williams competes in women’s double competition at the Queen’s Club this coming week
- Tomljanovic advanced to the 2022 United States Open quarter-final round after defeating Williams
- The Australian remains unbothered by possibly losing her record-making status