A defining night in New York

Ajla Tomljanovic has looked back on the night she defeated Serena Williams at the 2022 US Open, a match widely seen at the time as the final singles appearance of one of tennis’ greatest players.

The Australian beat Williams 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 on September 2, 2022, in a three-hour contest at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match was played in front of a near-capacity crowd of around 24,000, with Billie Jean King, Spike Lee and Rebel Wilson among those watching, according to a BBC Sport article.

Williams had announced only weeks earlier that she was preparing to “evolve away” from tennis, giving every match at Flushing Meadows the feel of a farewell.

Tomljanovic recalls the pressure

Tomljanovic said the atmosphere and circumstances made the match unlike anything else in her career.

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“It was a crazy match,” she said. “I just remember being so mentally stable in that match and battling so many things that you couldn’t really prepare for.”

She added that the experience remains special to her because of its rarity.

“I’ll probably never play a match like that again, and that’s something that I cherish because it’s very unique,” Tomljanovic said.

Williams fought until the end, saving five match points before Tomljanovic finally closed out the victory. The American had earlier served for the first set and then led 4-0 in the second, only for the contest to swing back and forth before the Australian took control in the deciding set.

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Williams set for doubles return

Williams is now preparing for a return to competitive tennis in women’s doubles, where she is expected to play alongside 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko at Queen’s Club.

The comeback adds a fresh layer to Tomljanovic’s place in tennis history. Her win may no longer stand as the last match of Williams’ professional career, but it remains one of the most significant victories connected to the American’s long goodbye from singles tennis.

A place in tennis history

Tomljanovic said she is not concerned about whether she remains the last player to have beaten Williams.

“In a way, I don’t really care for these history books where I might not be the last one,” she said. “That’s totally OK with me.”

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Her victory remains a defining moment in her career, regardless of how Williams’ comeback unfolds.

A lasting Williams legacy

Williams’ return also underlines the extraordinary longevity of the Williams family in professional tennis. Her elder sister, Venus Williams, has also remained active on the WTA Tour, continuing to compete deep into her 40s.

For Serena Williams, the 2022 US Open was framed as a farewell. Her latest move suggests that, while her singles career may be over, her connection to competition has not entirely faded.

For Tomljanovic, the night in New York remains unchanged: a rare victory earned in one of the most emotionally charged settings modern tennis has seen.

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Sources: www.bbc.com

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