Williams is ready to find a new Serena after leaving the US Open

Serena Williams bid an emotional farewell to the US Open on Friday, losing in the third round to Ajla Tomljanovic in what could have been her final singles match.

Defeat has never been easy for the fiercely competitive Williams, and her 7-5 6-7 (4) 6-1 loss to the 46th-ranked Australian stung her to the core.

But, after a joyous run into the third round, there was no shame in losing to the tenacious Tomljanovic, allowing the 23-time Grand Slam champion to exit with dignity and head held high.

Her three matches, highlighted by a second-round victory over world number two Anett Kontaveit, were a gift to her fans, displaying the unwavering never-say-die attitude that has made her tennis’ dominant player for over two decades right up until the final point.

“Obviously, I’m still capable,” Williams said to reporters. “However, much more is required.

“I’m ready to be a mother and explore a different Serena.

“Technically, in the world, I’m still very young, so I want to live a little while I’m still walking.”

“I have a fantastic future ahead of me.”

The 40-year-old, who is always up for a fight, came out swinging, forcing Tomljanovic to go the distance.

The Australian needed six match points to deliver the knockout punch and bring an exciting three-plus-hour slugfest to a close.

Tomljanovic, who has never won a WTA Tour title and has never advanced past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam, has spent the majority of her career as one of tennis’ lesser-known names.

But the 29-year-old will go down in tennis history as the answer to the question, “Who was the last player to beat Serena Williams?”

“No one is going to pronounce my name correctly,” Tomljanovic laughed. “That’s going to be a disaster.”

“I’m not sure I’ve ever been a part of tennis history, so that’s pretty cool.”

Williams announced her retirement in an early August Vogue article, saying she was “evolving away from tennis” but never confirming the US Open as her final event.

Williams left the door open just a crack when given the chance to put to rest speculation that the US Open was not the end.

When asked if she was tempted to return to tennis, she said, “I don’t think so, but you never know.”

“I’ve always loved Australia,” she later told reporters, hinting at a January appearance at the Australian Open.

For fans, however, the message was clear: Williams’ final appearance would be at the U.S. Open.

The raucous New York crowd that had supported her from the start and over the years, fueling her runs to six U.S. Open titles, was once again in her corner but couldn’t lift her to one more victory.

“I BELONG HERE RIGHT NOW.”
Tomljanovic, who has yet to win a WTA Tour tournament, appeared to have little chance against Williams, who has won 73 career titles, but he was undeterred.

Before stepping onto center court, Tomljanovic paused for a moment and touched the plaque at the entrance that quotes Billie Jean King: “Pressure is a Privilege.”

“I liked the quote,” Tomljanovic explained. “I felt pressure from myself because of where I am in my career.”

“I finally feel like I belong here.” That is why I anticipate doing well in these circumstances. “It just felt right when I saw that.”

Despite the electric atmosphere, the match started slowly, with the players trading breaks before settling in.

Williams appeared to seize control after breaking Tomljanovic to go ahead 5-3 and serve for the set.

But, with Williams trailing by two points, Tomljanovic dug in, breaking back and sweeping four straight games to steal the set, leaving the stadium stunned.

A defiant Williams lifted her game, as she has so many times before, hitting back in ruthless style in the second and breaking the Australian twice on her way to 4-0.

Williams, who was playing her fourth match in five nights, appeared to run out of gas, and Tomljanovic, who showed some steel of her own, pulled level at 5-5 as the set moved to a tie-break.

Everyone inside Arthur Ashe, who were now on their feet, knew Williams was not going down without a fight, and she dug deep into her reserves to win the tie-break 7-4.

Williams had the crowd roaring again when she broke Tomljanovic to start the third set, but she simply ran out of gas. The former world number was put on the ropes by the Australian, who stormed through the next four games to take a 4-1 lead.

But Williams was not going to hand Tomljanovic the victory; she would have to earn it, and she would need six match points to do so.