NEW YORK — At 45, Venus Williams proved once again why she remains one of tennis’ most enduring figures, but her return to Grand Slam action ended in a first-round defeat at the US Open. The seven-time major singles champion showed flashes of her trademark power before falling 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 to No. 11 seed Karolína Muchová on Monday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Despite the loss, the crowd rose in appreciation, saluting a player whose first title in New York came a quarter of a century ago.
Williams, the oldest singles competitor at the tournament since 1981, was playing only her fourth match since returning from a 16-month layoff following surgery for uterine fibroids. Though she started slowly, she rallied behind her booming serve — clocked at 114 mph — to take the second set and level the match. In the deciding set, however, Muchová, 29, was too steady, extending her recent strong form that has already taken her to multiple US Open semifinals.
The defeat continues Williams’ struggles at Flushing Meadows, where she last won a singles match in 2019. Still, her legacy at the event remains unmatched, with US Open titles in 2000 and 2001, alongside five Wimbledon singles crowns. Across her career, Williams has collected 14 women’s doubles majors with her sister Serena, two mixed doubles titles, and a record five Olympic tennis medals. She also rose to No. 1 in the world, paving the way for a new generation of stars.
Her perseverance has been just as inspiring as her achievements. Williams was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Sjögren’s syndrome more than a decade ago, yet continued competing at the sport’s highest level. “She’s such a legend of our sport,” Muchová said after the match, while fellow American Frances Tiafoe added, “To see how much she loves the game still at her age is amazing.”
Asked recently why she continues to play despite the challenges, Williams’ answer reflected her enduring spirit: “Why not? I want to be my best, and that’s the expectation I have for myself.” That passion was on display once again in New York, where fans embraced her comeback, celebrating not just her remarkable career, but also her refusal to walk away from the game she has helped define.
