\n<\/p>\n
Williams had served for the first set before losing four games in a row and was 4-0 up in the second before she weathered a Tomljanovic fightback to take it on a tie-break.<\/p>\n
But Tomljanovic remained composed in a partisan atmosphere and took advantage of a fading Williams to race away with the third set.<\/p>\n
Speaking after the match, Tomljanovic told the crowd: “I’m feeling really sorry because I love Serena just as much as you guys do. <\/p>\n
“What she’s done for me, for tennis, is incredible. She is the greatest of all time.”<\/p>\n
Asked afterwards if she would consider a comeback, Williams said: “I don’t think so, but you never know.”<\/p>\n
And she has been true to her word. She will return on the grass courts of West Kensington when she plays doubles alongside 19-year-old Canadian star Victoria Mboko at Queen’s.<\/p>\n
Williams’ elder sister Venus still plays on the WTA Tour and reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 US Open women’s doubles, aged 45.<\/p>\n
“I don’t think Serena will come back and be satisfied with making the second week,” Tomljanovic said before the American’s return was confirmed.<\/p>\n
“Even her last US Open, I think in her mind she was going to win it, so she must be feeling some sort of extra boost of energy.<\/p>\n
“Maybe she’s inspired by Venus.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n