Ajla Tomljanovic has disclosed she is unconcerned by potentially losing her spot in the tennis record books in the wake of Serena Williams’s surprising comeback declaration. The Australian beat the American great 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 title winner set to return to competitive action in women’s doubles at Queen’s Club this week, Tomljanovic will no longer have the accolade of holding the record of having beaten Williams on court. In an interview with BBC Sport, the 33-year-old expressed satisfaction with the situation, highlighting that the memory of her triumph holds far greater meaning to her than any historical footnote.
The Match That Wasn’t Meant to Be Final
The third-round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium on that September evening was absolutely extraordinary. Williams had declared her plan to “evolve away” from tennis in a Vogue essay just weeks earlier, and the US Open was to be her final tournament. The occasion brought an illustrious crowd, with Billie Jean King, Spike Lee and Rebel Wilson among the 24,000 spectators who filled the stadium. Three hours and five minutes of gripping tennis took place as Tomljanovic and Williams fought in a gripping match that appeared set to mark the end of an era.
The match ebbed and flowed with significant swings in momentum. Williams defended five match points before finally losing to Tomljanovic’s composed display. The American had served for the first set before surrendering four straight games, whilst in the second set she fought back from 4-0 deficit to take it to a tie-break, which she won. However, Tomljanovic proved too composed in the decider, racing away to secure the win 6-1. The Australian’s emotional fortitude throughout the encounter was remarkable, as she coped with the immense tension and emotion of the moment.
- Williams converted away five match points during the three-hour match
- The final result was 7–5, 6–7(4–7), 6–1 to Tomljanovic
- Nearly 24,000 spectators attended the historic US Open encounter
- Match went on for three hours and five minutes of competitive tennis
A Gracious Winner Receives New Addition
Tomljanovic’s measured perspective to potentially losing her position within tennis history speaks volumes about her character and perspective on sport. When she discovered Williams’s comeback plans, the Australian accepted the news with equanimity rather than frustration. At 33 years old, she demonstrates the wisdom to recognise that records in history matter far less than the actual experience of playing at the highest level. Her willingness to relinquish the honour of being the last person to defeat Williams shows a commendable lack of self-interest, particularly given 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 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 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.
Savoring the Moment Rather Than the Achievement
When considering her victory to BBC Sport at Indian Wells in March, Tomljanovic articulated her mixed feelings with striking honesty. She recognised experiencing conflict during and immediately after the match, acutely aware that she was overcoming someone she had greatly respected and looked up to throughout her career. Yet she also acknowledged the exceptional significance of the accomplishment itself. The win surpassed mere history-making; it represented the culmination of her psychological strength, strategic sharpness, and fighting spirit on one of the sport’s greatest arenas against its greatest rival.
Tomljanovic’s observations demonstrate a player who understands the true value of her display lies not in historical permanence but in the singular nature of the occasion. She expressed genuine contentment with the prospect of possibly being removed from the official rankings, stressing that the recollection of competing in such an outstanding performance will endure in any case. “I’ll almost certainly never take part in a game like that again and that’s something that I cherish because it’s very unique,” she commented, capturing the core of why the win itself counts infinitely more to her than any mention in tennis’s historical record.
The Drama 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 emotionally charged 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 electric, 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, stretching across three hours and five minutes before a packed audience of 24,000 spectators. Williams demonstrated the resilience that had defined her career, saving five match points during the contest—a testament to her fighting 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 handle the magnitude of the moment, remaining unaffected by 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 Five Match Points
Williams had demonstrated control during critical stages of the match, battling 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 mental strength forced a tie-break, which Williams finally secured, pushing the contest into a decisive third set. Throughout these shifts, the partisan crowd remained emotionally committed in Williams’s farewell narrative, fostering an intensely felt environment that tested both competitors’ emotional resilience.
Tomljanovic’s ability to save multiple break points and withstand Williams’s counterattacks proved decisive in the closing set, where she seized control with authority. The final set saw Tomljanovic prevail 6-1, finally extinguishing Williams’s hopes of extending her storied career. Despite the outcome being celebrated as Williams’s final professional match, 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 historic sporting moment, delivering a performance under extraordinary pressure that would define her legacy.
What Lies Ahead for Tennis Royalty
Williams’s unexpected return to competitive action 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 chosen to extend her competitive chapter through a doubles pairing. This comeback, whilst modest in scope compared to her illustrious singles career, constitutes a remarkable testament to her lasting competitive drive and refusal to accept a ending she had not entirely controlled herself. The tennis world watches with intrigue 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 up the professional ladder, progressing to the quarter-finals at that same tournament and positioning herself as a strong contender on the WTA Tour. Her philosophical approach to the prospect of losing her place in the history books showcases a wisdom and outlook that goes far beyond individual accolades. Rather than clinging to a distinction, she has chosen to celebrate the remarkable quality of the match itself and the particular situation surrounding it, a perspective that speaks volumes about her character and appreciation for what sport truly represents.
- Williams takes part in women’s doubles at Queen’s Club this coming week
- Tomljanovic reached the 2022 US Open quarter-final round by defeating Williams
- The Australian stays unfazed by potentially losing her historical distinction