New York, Aug 26 (AP) - Venus Williams, at 45 and the oldest singles player at Flushing Meadows since 1981, faced her first Grand Slam defeat in two years against 11th-seeded Karolina Muchova in a 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 loss at the U.S. Open. This match, according to Williams, marked the end of her 2025 season.
The Arthur Ashe Stadium was filled with thousands of supportive spectators who gave Williams a standing ovation, appreciating not just her shots but her astounding career.
Williams maintained her composure at the postmatch news conference, joking and laughing, until questioned about the many injury and illness hurdles she overcame. With her head bowed and eyes welling up with tears, she reflected, “What did I prove to myself? Getting back on the court was about letting myself play more healthily. It's a mental challenge when you're unhealthy. But being freer now felt nice.”
This was only the fourth singles match of her comeback, which began in July after a 16-month absence due to uterine fibroids surgery. Working tirelessly with her team, Williams said, “We literally took no days off. I haven't gone to dinner or seen friends, just focused on rigorous training for three months.”
The last singles match she won at the U.S. Open was in 2019. Despite early exits in 2020, 2022, 2023, and missing the tournament in 2021 and 2024, being back at U.S. Open meant the world to Williams.
“The crowd was unbelievable,” she said, regarding the enthusiastic backing from the stands. “I knew the people were really rooting for me worldwide, which felt great.”
Her history with the U.S. Open is rich, marking her first Grand Slam finals in 1997 at just 17 and winning in both 2000 and 2001. A decade ago, she pulled out of the U.S. Open, revealing she was battling Sjögren's syndrome, a debilitating autoimmune disease.
Many predicted her retirement, but she continued to be a pioneer in tennis. Her opponent, Muchova praised, “She's such a legend of our sport. It's an honor to share a court with her.”
Muchova, 29, from the Czech Republic, has a hefty record, making it to the U.S. Open semifinals in 2023 and 2024. She met Williams with formidable skill, especially in the third set.
Venus, having turned professional in 1994, accumulated 14 Grand Slam doubles titles with her sister Serena, two mixed doubles titles, and five Olympic medals. Serena, who played her last match in 2022, and Venus have both transcended tennis.
American player Frances Tiafoe remarked, “She's Venus Williams, iconic in many ways. Her love for the game at her age is astounding.”
Williams' future remains uncertain. She mentioned a reluctance to travel outside the U.S. Though when asked why she continues to compete, her simple response was, “Why not?”
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