Serena Williams bows out after US Open singles loss, thanks everyone for decades of support

Serena Williams, one of the greatest female tennis players of all time, has been knocked out of the US Open, in what may have been the final singles campaign of her career.

She was handed the defeat after a thrilling three set by Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic.

Serena was emotional after losing what is likely to be her final ever match at the US Open.

Serena, who will turn 41 later this month, had revealed earlier this year that she would walk away from tennis for good following her home major.

But there was to be no fairytale ending for the 23-time major singles champion, who was unable to overcome Tomljanovic at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The American fought back valiantly after losing the opening set, but she eventually succumbed to her opponent, currently ranked 46 in the world rankings, 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 6-1, to bring her illustrious career to an end.

The defeat brings Williams’ dream of claiming a record-equalling 24th grand slam singles titles to an end at the very same stadium where she won her first major singles title back in 1999.

And the tennis superstar couldn’t hold back the tears when discussing her exit after the match. She said, “I thank everyone that’s here, that’s been on my side so many years, decades. Oh my gosh, literally decades.

“But it all started with my parents. And they deserve everything. So I’m really grateful for them. And I wouldn’t be Serena if there wasn’t [sister] Venus; so thank you, Venus. She’s the only reason that Serena Williams ever existed.”

 

Tomljanovic was quoted by Sky News as saying afterwards, “I’m feeling really sorry just because I love Serena just as much as you guys do. What she has done for the sport of tennis is incredible.

“I never thought I’d have the chance to play her in her last match when I was a kid watching all those finals.”

Serena had insisted that she was “evolving” away from the sport that she has dominated for over two decades rather than using the term retirement when she confirmed her plans, but she appeared to reiterate that was still the plan after her defeat at the hands of Tomljanovic.

When asked if she would reconsider retiring after her performances this week, which saw her roll back the years to reach the third round, she played down talk of a U-turn.

She added, “I’m literally playing my way into this and getting better. I should have started sooner this year. I don’t think so, but you never know.”

After clinching one of the biggest wins of her career, Tomljanovic will move on to play Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova in round four of the tournament next week.