Aussie Tennis Star Becomes Second Player to Beat Both Williams Sisters

Ajla Tomljanovic joins elite club with win over Venus Williams at ATX Open

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Australian tennis player Ajla Tomljanovic has become only the second player in history to beat both Venus and Serena Williams, after defeating Venus in straight sets at the ATX Open in Texas. Tomljanovic previously beat Serena at the 2022 US Open, in what was the 24-time Grand Slam champion's farewell tournament. Tomljanovic is now one of just two players, along with Canada's Bianca Andreescu, to have an unbeaten record against the legendary Williams sisters.

Why it matters

The Williams sisters have been dominant forces in women's tennis for over two decades, so joining the exclusive club of players who have beaten both of them is a remarkable accomplishment. Tomljanovic's victories over the Williams sisters demonstrate her ability to rise to the occasion against all-time greats and cement her status as one of the top players on the WTA Tour.

The details

Tomljanovic's 6-4 6-1 victory over the seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams means the Aussie has now beaten both Williams sisters. Venus claimed an early break, but Tomljanovic rallied to breeze past the 45-year-old legend. Tomljanovic reflected on her historic unbeaten record against the Williams sisters, saying, "Somehow Venus and Serena tend to bring the best out in me mentally."

  • Tomljanovic famously beat Serena Williams at the 2022 US Open, in what was the 24-time major winner's farewell tournament.
  • Tomljanovic defeated Venus Williams in straight sets at the ATX Open in Austin, Texas on February 26, 2026.

The players

Ajla Tomljanovic

An Australian tennis player who has now beaten both Venus and Serena Williams, joining an elite club of just two players with an unbeaten record against the legendary sisters.

Venus Williams

A seven-time Grand Slam champion and one of the greatest players in women's tennis history.

Bianca Andreescu

A Canadian tennis player who is the only other player besides Tomljanovic to have an unbeaten record against the Williams sisters.

Serena Williams

A 24-time Grand Slam champion and one of the most dominant players in the history of women's tennis.

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What they’re saying

“Somehow Venus and Serena tend to bring the best out in me mentally. Because I always think, 'What would they do in that moment?' I try to make it work for me, instead of against me. I constantly, in the last four years, try to channel how I was in that match against Serena, because I've never felt that since.”

— Ajla Tomljanovic

What’s next

Tomljanovic's reward for her victory over Venus Williams is a second-round clash with No.2 seed Iva Jovic at the ATX Open.

The takeaway

Ajla Tomljanovic's historic accomplishment of beating both Venus and Serena Williams demonstrates her ability to rise to the occasion against all-time greats and cement her status as one of the top players on the WTA Tour. Joining an exclusive club with only one other player is a remarkable feat that highlights Tomljanovic's mental toughness and competitive spirit.