Ajla Tomljanovic says Serena Williams has changed the game of tennis and playing the American in her final tournament will certainly be an experience. On Wednesday, 46th-ranked Tomljanovic edged out Evgeniya Rodina 1-6 6-2 7-5 to set up a US Open third round meeting versus Williams.
Tomljanovic and Williams will be going head-to-head for the first time when they meet at the US Open. “She kind of has that aura like Roger, Rafa, and deservedly so,” Tomljanovic said, per Sportskeeda. “I always get happy when she says hi to me.”
Tomljanovic: Williams changed the game
Tomljanovic, 29, took a moment to acknowledge for how long 40-year-old has been able to dominate. “I think she’s changed the sport, tennis, but also what she’s done worldwide for women in sports is incredible,” Tomljanovic noted.
“She’s paved the way for so many, inspired me to go for my dreams. Even, like, her longevity. Like, I’m kind of in the part of my career now where they call you on the older side. She’s made that kind of nonexistent.
I don’t think there’s anyone like her, obviously.” The US Open attendance record was broken after 29,402 people attended the Williams and Danka Kovinic first round match. On Wednesday, 29,959 people attended the Williams and Anett Kontaveit match.
When Williams takes onto the court for her match versus Tomljanovic, we may see 30,000+ spectators for the first time at the US Open. Whatever happens, Tomljanovic expects it to be a great night for her. “It’s definitely something I’ll never forget in my career.
It’s going to be a huge moment no matter the outcome. No matter the fact that I’ve been a Serena fan since I was a kid, on Friday night I’ll just be a competitor and I’ll try my best to win, but it will definitely be something I have never experienced yet,” Tomljanovic said.
