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Posted: 2022-09-03 07:24:33

Australian Ajla Tomljanović knocked Serena Williams out of the US Open in what's likely to be the last match of the US great's career.

So, it could be expected that some spectators were upset with the outcome. 

But Tomljanović was quick to charm the American audience with her humility.

What happened after Serena Williams lost? 

Tomljanović was reserved in her victory over the 23-time grand slam champion.

After winning the thrilling three-hour three-set match, she stepped aside so Williams could bid her fans farewell from the sport. 

And when it was her time to speak, Tomljanović 's modesty drew praise from those watching on.

"I'm feeling really sorry just because I love Serena just as much as you guys do," she said after her win. 

"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."

OK. Who is Ajla Tomljanović?

The 29-year-old has been Australia's top-ranked female tennis player since Ash Barty retired earlier this year.  

Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia after beating Serena Williams
Australian Ajla Tomljanovic, humble in victory.(USA TODAY Sports: Robert Deutsch via Reuters)

She is in the best form of her career, with a current ranking of 46th in the world. She has made it to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon for the past two years in a row. 

Born in Zagreb, Croatia, she started playing for Australia in 2014 before becoming a fully fledged Australian citizen in 2018. 

She's not the first athlete from eastern Europe to call Australia home. 

Jarmila Gajdosova and Anastasia and Arina Rodionova also made the move, as well as childhood immigrants Bernard Tomic, Jelena Dokic and Marinko Matosevic.

Did Tomljanović think she would beat Williams?

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