Serena Williams' dream run at US Open ends with third-round loss to Ajla Tomljanović

NEW YORK -- Serena Williams gave an emotional speech after what was likely her final tennis match Friday night.

"These are happy tears, I guess. I don't know. And I wouldn't be Serena if there wasn't Venus, so thank you Venus.

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She's the only reason Serena Williams ever existed ... It's been a fun ride. It's been the most incredible ride and journey I've ever been on."

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In the piece, she said she preferred the word "evolution" instead of "retirement" and acknowledged how difficult it was to come to the decision.

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When Fernandez asked her if there was any chance she would reconsider walking away, she smiled. "I don't think so, but you never know."

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she smiled. "I don't think so, but you never know."

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A little later, pressed on the same topic at her postmatch news conference, Williams joked,

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I always did love Australia,'' the country that hosts the next Grand Slam tournament in January.

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"I've been down before. ... I don't really give up,'' Williams said.

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