'It's been a fun ride': Serena Williams bows out of US Open

American great loses to Ajla Tomljanovic in what is expected to be her last singles match

Serena Williams waves to the crowd after losing to Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows on Friday night, September 2, 2022. EPA

USA's Serena Williams shakes hands with Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia at the US Open in New York. EPA

USA's Serena Williams gets emotional in a post-match interview after losing to Ajla Tomljanovic. AFP

Serena Williams hits a return to Ajla Tomljanovic. AFP

Fans cheer Serena Williams. AFP

Serena Williams reacts after a point during her third round match against Ajla Tomljanovic. AFP

Serena Williams hugs Ajla Tomlijanovic after the match. AFP

Serena Williams react after losing a point on Friday night. EPA

Serena Williams after her defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic. EPA

Serena Williams bid an emotional good-bye to the US Open following a third-round defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic, in what could be the last singles match of her glittering career.

Serena enjoyed a good start to the major, registering a second-round win over world number two Anett Kontaveit. But she fell short against the 46th ranked Australian, losing 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-1.

The 40-year-old, who last month signalled she planned to retire after the US Open, lost after a gruelling battle that lasted three hours and five minutes.

Serena, who amassed 23 Grand Slam singles titles in her 27-year career, poured everything into one last stand in front of a partisan crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

But the veteran wilted in the decisive third set, affected by the demands of a heroic second set display that saw her level the match in a tie break.

As Tomljanovic raced into a 5-1 lead in the third, Serena continued to fight, saving five match points in a marathon seventh game before finally succumbing.

Afterwards Serena thanked the crowd. Asked by an on-court interviewer whether there was any possibility she might yet extend her career, she replied: "I don't think so, but you never know."

"It's been a fun ride," she said. "It's been the most incredible ride and journey I've ever been on, I mean, in my life.

"I'm just so grateful to every single person that's ever said, 'Go, Serena,' in their life. I'm just so grateful. You got me here."

“I’ve been down before. … I don’t really give up,” she added said. “In my career, I’ve never given up. In matches, I don’t give up. Definitely wasn’t giving up tonight.”

Tomljanovic, meanwhile, expressed disappointment that Serena's career is drawing to a close.

"I'm feeling really sorry just because I love Serena just as much as you guys do," she told the crowd. "What she's done for me, for the sport of tennis, is incredible.

"I never thought I'd have a chance to play her in her last match when I remember watching her in all those finals, so this is a surreal moment for me."

Tomljanovic said she had also never felt certain of victory.

"Even to the last point, I knew that she's in a position to win even when she's down 5-1," she said. "That's just who she is. She's the greatest of all time. Period."

Later on, Serena hinted at a tilt at the Australian Open in January, saying: "I always did love Australia, though."

Following the match, the tributes began to pour in. Former US First Lady Michelle Obama congratulated Serena on a great career.

"Congrats on an amazing career, @SerenaWilliams! How lucky were we to be able to watch a young girl from Compton grow up to become one of the greatest athletes of all time. I'm proud of you, my friend - and I can't wait to see the lives you continue to transform with your talents." Michelle tweeted.

Golf great Tiger Woods credited the tennis star for inspiring many young players.

"@serenawilliams you're literally the greatest on and off the court. Thank you for inspiring all of us to pursue our dreams. I love you little sis!!!!!!" he tweeted.