United States Open | Goodbye time for Serena Williams

Serena Williams was defeated in straight sets 5-7, 7-6(4), 1-6 in a marathon duel against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanović in the third round of the US Open.

Katherine Harvey Pinard
The Press

The best tennis player in history undoubtedly gave her last racket blow, Friday evening, in New York.

At the end of a match of exceptional quality which stretched over more than three hours, Serena Williams advanced to the center of the field. She raised one arm in the air as she gazed out at the crowd, before putting her hand to her heart and mouthing a quiet “thank you.”

Was this officially his last game? In all likelihood, yes.

The queen of tennis never gave up, saving five match points as if she refused to leave. His post-match speech on the pitch did indeed have the air of a farewell.

” Thank you so much ! You were fantastic today. I tried, but Ajla played a little better. Thanks, dad, I know you’re watching. Thank you, mom, ”she hinted at the microphone before breaking down and letting a few tears flow.

“Thank you to everyone who is here, who has encouraged me for so many years, decades. But it started with my parents, and they deserve it all,” she continued, adding that she “wouldn’t be Serena if it wasn’t for Venus,” her sister.

When asked if she might reconsider her decision to retire after such a clash, Williams cast doubt, responding that she “didn’t think” she would change her mind, “but you never know”. she said smiling.

” Come on ! »

It was the first time the two players faced each other. Tomljanović, 29, has recently been playing the best tennis of his career. It was not an easy task for Williams, who was only in his seventh duel of the year.

Broken on serve from the first game, the 40-year-old American immediately returned the favor to her opponent. In the middle of the inning, when it was tied at 3-3, Williams upped her game and chained the points until they were two games ahead.

Tomljanović, a bit shaky, quickly picked up the slack. The opponents multiplied the long exchanges, but the Australian anticipated the attacks better. She had the upper hand in the next four games to take the first set.

For the first time in the tournament, Williams had to come from behind. Undoubtedly galvanized by the always noisy crowd, the American seemed to play each shot as if it were the last, pushing a few “Come on! » well felt by the way. She took a 4-0 lead in the second set, much to the delight of the spectators.

But again, Tomljanović hung on, closing the gap. On the other side of the pitch, Williams looked out of breath. True to the player she always was, she refused to give up; the set ended with a thrilling tiebreaker, won by the fan favourite.

Williams tapped deep into her energy reserves in the third set, holding off her opponent even though they trailed 5-1, but it wasn’t enough. She had a straight Tomljanović ahead of her, who broke three times to win 6-1.

“The best of all time”

You have to give Tomljanović her due: the 29-year-old was sensational as she took on her childhood idol in front of thousands of fans who wanted her undone. She also delivered a moving speech after the clash.

“I’m so sorry because I love Serena as much as you do,” she blurted out. […] I never thought I would have the chance to play against her in her last game. I remember watching her in all those finals when I was young. It’s a surreal moment for me. »

When the host asked her how she had done to deal with the pressure, the Australian went there with an answer that provoked a collective laugh.

“I just thought she would beat me,” she said. So the pressure was not on me. It’s Serena! Even until the last point, I knew she was in a very good position to win, even when she lost by 5 points. »

Serena Williams is more than 25 years of professional tennis. It’s 73 tournaments won, including 23 in Grand Slams. That’s four gold medals at the Olympics.

One of the greatest athletes in sports history is now stepping down.