Serena Williams, the twenty-three Grand Slam singles champion, won the last match of her tennis career. The 40-year-old American star lost in the third round of the US Open to Australian Agla Tomljanovic 5:7, 7:6, 1:6, and the tournament ended in New York, which she apparently considered her farewell. And he will face the forty-sixth player in the world Tomljanovic, Russia, Lyudmila Samsonova in the round of 16.
Serena Williams | Source: Reuters
Williams hinted at the end of her career in the September issue of Vogue, but did not fully confirm it during the tournament.
Serena Williams changed the face of tennis. Now preparing for a big farewell to the US Open
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“If I ever come back?” she said during a post-match interview at the stadium, during which she thanked her parents, sister Venus and the fans in tears.
Later at a news conference about the future, she joked, “I’ve always loved Australia,” referring to the country that will host the next Grand Slam tournament in January.
On the concrete courts at Flushing Meadows this year, Montenegro’s Dinka Kovinichova knocked out Estonian world number two Annette Kontavitova. However, it was not enough to defeat Karolina Moshova in the opening round for Tomyanovikova, despite the massive support at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Williams jousted well and led 5:3 at the end of the first set. But since that moment, she’s lost four straight games and lost the first set after 51 minutes.
The American recovered from the failure and had four set points at her disposal in the second set at 5:2. However, the 29-year-old Australian woman withstood the pressure of her opponent and the crowd, deflecting them all, and then forced to shorten the match. Here, Williams refused to finish the match and won 7:4.
tears of passion
But in the third set, the local tennis player couldn’t resist Tomljanovic and the Australian won six straight games of 0:1. Although Williams saved five match points at the end and got a standing ovation, the sixth place finish was final after three hours and seven minutes.
“First of all, I’m so sorry. I love Serena as much as you do. I watched her as a little girl and couldn’t believe I would play against her. She is the greatest player in the history of our sport. It shows that all dreams can come true in life,” Tomljanovic said.
On her way off the field, Williams was accompanied by Tina Turner’s song – The Best. “Obviously I’m still capable. But she needs a lot more than that. I’m ready to be a mother and explore another version of Serena. I have a bright future ahead of me,” Williams added.
