Serena Williams shed “tears of joy” during her speech after losing to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the 2022 US Open on Friday night, but left the door open for a possible return.
Williams, 40, became emotional in the postmatch interview, thanking her late father, known as King Richard, for everything he did.
“Oh my God, thank you so much. You guys were amazing today,” Williams said. “I tried. If I had just played a little bit better. Thank you, daddy. I know you’re watching. Thanks, mom. Oh my God, I’m crying.
“Everyone that’s here, that’s been by my side, so many years decades, ñiterally decades but it all started with my parents and they deserve everything so I’m really greateful for them. These are happy tears, I guess. I don’t know.”
Serena went on to thank her sister Venus Williams, her husband, daughter and every other person who helped her along her journey.
“It’s been a fun ride. It’s been the most incredible ride and journey I’ve ever been on in my life,” Williams said. “I’m just so grateful to every single person that’s ever said, ‘Go Serena.’ You got me here.”
When asked if she was having second thoughts about retiring, Serena did not give a definitive answer.
“I’m literally playing my way into this and getting better.” Williams said. “I should have started sooner this year. I don’t think so but you never know. I don’t know.”
Serena Williams farewell tour
The defeat marked just the second time Williams lost a deciding third set at a major 6-1 or 6-0.
She lost the third set 6-0 to Mary Joe Fernandez in the third round of the 1999 French Open.
Serena had also not lost in the first week of the US Open in over two decades but Tomljanovic managed to do just that.
Tomljanovic spoke after the match and expressed her sadness over Williams’ retirement.
“I’m feeling really sorry just because I love Serena just as much as you guys do,” Tomljanovic said. “What she’s done for me, for the sport of tennis, is incredible.
“I never thought that I would have a chance to play her in her last match when I remember watching her as a kid in all those finals. This is a surreal moment for me.”
Tomljanovic continued explaining how Serena’s greatness made her doubt that she would win, even when leading comfortably.
“I just thought she would beat me, so the pressure wasn’t on me,” Tomljanovic said. “She’s Serena. Even until the last point, I knew that she’s in a really good position to win even when she’s down 5-1. … She’s the greatest of all time, period.”
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