Venus Williams may have exited the US Open in the opening round, but the 45-year-old reminded the tennis world that she is still far from finished.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion, making her first appearance at Flushing Meadows in two years, pushed 11th seed Karolina Muchova before falling 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
At 45, Williams was the oldest woman to play singles at the US Open since Renee Richards in 1981 and the third oldest in the Open era.
Her effort drew a raucous standing ovation as she waved to all sides of the stadium. Whether it proves her final match in New York remains to be seen, but the American was proud of her performance.
Venus Williams may have exited the US Open in the opening round, but the 45-year-old reminded the tennis world that she is still far from finished
|REUTERS
“I definitely had a bit of a slow start, but it’s not really a bad thing,” Williams said afterwards.
“I just haven’t played a lot of matches, so I’m still finding everything. I didn’t win today, but I’m very proud of how I played.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a crowd that much on my side.
"I knew going into this match that people in this stadium, people in the United States, people around the world, were really rooting for me, and that felt great.”
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Among those cheering her on was sister Serena, who later posted on Instagram: “I am immensely proud of you @venuswilliams.”
Williams’ return came 28 years after she reached her first US Open final as a 17-year-old.
Initially, it looked as though Muchova’s power and consistency might prove overwhelming, but Williams showed flashes of her trademark shot-making.
A gutsy hold from 0-40 down in the third game steadied her nerves and drew the crowd into the contest.
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Venus Williams leaves the court to a standing ovation after her loss to Karolina Muchova at U.S. Open
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 26, 2025
Only her 3rd match in 2025… but she still took a set off the world #13
45 years old, playing with a passion that never dies
Incredible to witness 🥹
pic.twitter.com/MuMezs9MOm
Though Muchova claimed the first set, Williams roared back in vintage fashion.
She broke early in the second set and surged 5-2 ahead, celebrating with clenched fists as she levelled the match.
The American’s backhands and attacking instincts rolled back the years, and for a spell it seemed an upset could be brewing.
The deciding set, however, belonged to Muchova.
After taking a break between sets, the Czech regained control as Williams, short of match practice, began to fade.
The veteran admitted afterwards that she simply ran out of energy.
Williams, who last won a singles match in New York in 2018, recently ended a near two-year drought with victory over Peyton Stearns in Washington.
But competing at Slam level, she conceded, is a much tougher challenge.
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Venus Williams pushed Karolina Muchova all the way in their US Open clash
|REUTERS
Looking ahead, Williams suggested her future remains open.
She has no plans to travel abroad for tournaments this year, making it unlikely she will play again before spring 2026.
“My goal is to do what I want to do,” she said.
“I wanted to be here this summer. I’m so grateful for all the folks who gave me a wild card. I play an exciting brand of tennis. It’s a lot of fun to go literally hog wild out there and hit as hard as I can.”