US Open: Serena Williams’ career over after Ajla Tomljanovic defeat
Location: Flushing Meadows, New York Day: August 29 to September 11 |
Network coverage: Daily radio commentary on BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app, with selected live text commentary and match reports on the website and app |
Serena Williams waved goodbye to the US Open – and what appeared to be her illustrious career – amid emotional turmoil after she lost to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in New York.
Williams, who turns 41 this month, will retire after the tournament.
It would end a 27-year professional career that took home 23 major singles wins and saw the American tennis player widely regarded as the greatest of all time.
Williams fought back from a set but ultimately lost 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 6-1.
The longtime former world number one saved five match points in the final match but was powerless to stop the sixth step.
Almost everyone can get to her feet as she leaves the pitch at Arthur Ashe Stadium – the site of her first major win in 1999 and five more wins of her career – for what she expected to be the last time.
Than to follow.