Venus Williams could have exited the US Open within the opening spherical, however the 45-year-old reminded the tennis world that she continues to be removed from completed.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion, making her first look at Flushing Meadows in two years, pushed eleventh seed Karolina Muchova earlier than falling 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 on the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
At 45, Williams was the oldest lady to play singles on the US Open since Renee Richards in 1981 and the third oldest within the Open period.
Her effort drew a raucous standing ovation as she waved to all sides of the stadium. Whether or not it proves her closing match in New York stays to be seen, however the American was pleased with her efficiency.
“I undoubtedly had a little bit of a sluggish begin, but it surely’s probably not a nasty factor,” Williams mentioned afterwards.
“I simply haven’t performed a number of matches, so I’m nonetheless discovering every thing. I didn’t win as we speak, however I’m very pleased with how I performed.
“I don’t suppose I’ve ever had a crowd that a lot on my facet.
"I knew going into this match that folks on this stadium, folks in the USA, folks world wide, had been actually rooting for me, and that felt nice.”
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Amongst these cheering her on was sister Serena, who later posted on Instagram: “I’m immensely pleased with you @venuswilliams.”
Williams’ return got here 28 years after she reached her first US Open closing as a 17-year-old.
Initially, it seemed as if Muchova’s energy and consistency would possibly show overwhelming, however Williams confirmed flashes of her trademark shot-making.
A gutsy maintain from 0-40 down within the third recreation steadied her nerves and drew the group into the competition.
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Venus Williams leaves the courtroom to a standing ovation after her loss to Karolina Muchova at U.S. Open
Solely her third match in 2025… however she nonetheless took a set off the world #13
45 years previous, taking part in with a ardour that by no means dies
Unbelievable to witness 🥹
pic.twitter.com/MuMezs9MOm— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 26, 2025
Although Muchova claimed the primary set, Williams roared again in classic trend.
She broke early within the second set and surged 5-2 forward, celebrating with clenched fists as she levelled the match.
The American’s backhands and attacking instincts rolled again the years, and for a spell it appeared an upset could possibly be brewing.
The deciding set, nonetheless, belonged to Muchova.
After taking a break between units, the Czech regained management as Williams, in need of match apply, started to fade.
The veteran admitted afterwards that she merely ran out of power.
Williams, who final received a singles match in New York in 2018, just lately ended a close to two-year drought with victory over Peyton Stearns in Washington.
However competing at Slam stage, she conceded, is a a lot harder problem.
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Wanting forward, Williams instructed her future stays open.
She has no plans to journey overseas for tournaments this yr, making it unlikely she is going to play once more earlier than spring 2026.
“My aim is to do what I need to do,” she mentioned.
“I needed to be right here this summer time. I’m so grateful for all the oldsters who gave me a wild card. I play an thrilling model of tennis. It’s a number of enjoyable to go actually hog wild on the market and hit as arduous as I can.”