Serena Williams retires from tennis after Ajla Tomljanović beats her at US Open

Serena Williams brought the curtain down on her brilliant career as she lost to Ajla Tomljanović at the US Open.

Williams said before the tournament that she would retire after the conclusion of the US Open, meaning she has now played her final match.

Tomljanović overcame a ferocious crowd on Arthur Ashe to win 7-5, 6-7, 6-1.

Serena Williams retires with an Open Era record of 23 majors to her name.

It was a typically defiant performance from Serena Williams, who was a little short of her level from the previous two rounds.

She had her chances throughout, although she looked up against it from the moment she lost a very tight opening set to the clean-hitting Australian.

A second-set rally raised hopes of a comeback, though. The players exchanged breaks during the set but it eventually went to a tiebreak, which Serena held her nerve to force a decider.

That decider started well for the American too. She broke in the first match, although a collapse saw her lose the next six to see her hopes of getting into the second week crushed.

There was still time for a last act of defiance, though, with Tomljanović needing six match points on her own serve to eventually get over the line.

“Thank you, Daddy,” A tearful Serena said on court afterwards. “I know you’re watching. It all started with my parents, and they deserve everything.

“I wouldn’t be Serena if there wasn’t Venus. She’s the only reason Serena Williams ever existed. It’s been a fun ride.”

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