Croatian-Australian Ajla Tomljanovic has defeated tennis legend, Serena Williams in the third-round match at the ongoing US Open, to possibly retire one of the greatest women’s tennis players of all time.
Croatian-Australian Ajla Tomljanovic defeated Serena Williams 7-5, 6-7, 6-1 to advance to the next stage of the competition. But Serena Williams battled until the last point as she received a standing ovation from the crowd as she bows out of the competition, and possibly the tennis game.
With the capacity of the Flushing Meadows crowd roaring on every Williams shot and groaning when she missed, Williams staved off match point six times in the third set during her match against Tomljanovic.
Williams acknowledged the crowd’s cheers when it all ended, raising her hand to thank her fans. In a tearful post-match interview, she said, “Thank you so much. I tried.” She thanked her father and former coach, and “everyone who has been on my side so many years. It all started with my parents. And it all started with them, and I’m really grateful to them. These are happy tears.” She also thanked her sister, Venus, her doubles partner. “She’s the only reason Serena Williams existed.”
“It’s been a fun ride,” she said, as the crowd cheered.
Tomljanovic was gracious in her post-match interview. “I love Serena as much as you do.” She added, “She’s the greatest of all-time. Period.”
Williams has been the women singles No. 1 for a record 186 consecutive weeks and won 23 Grand Slam singles titles in her long career, the second-most of all-time behind Margaret Court.