45-Year-Old Venus Williams Suffers Defeat In First Round Of US Open

Last Updated:August 26, 2025, 07:19 IST

Venus only returned to competitive tennis in July following a 16-month absence from the sport, and had been granted a wild card into the main draw at Flushing Meadows.

Venus Williams suffers defeat in first round of US Open 2025. (Picture Credit: AFP)

Venus Williams fought valiantly but faced a first-round defeat on her return to the US Open on Tuesday, losing in three sets to 11th seed Karolina Muchova.

Williams, 45, resumed competitive tennis in July after a 16-month break from the sport and was given a wild card into the main draw at Flushing Meadows.

However, the American tennis icon could not extend her stay in the championship beyond the first round, succumbing to a 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 defeat against her 29-year-old Czech opponent, who was not even born when Williams turned professional in 1994.

Williams had not played a Grand Slam singles event since exiting in the first round of the US Open in 2023 and had not won a match at Grand Slam level since reaching the second round at Wimbledon in 2021.

Despite this, Williams displayed flashes of the exceptional talent that earned her seven career Grand Slam singles titles, including five Wimbledon championships, during an engaging battle on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

After a slow start, losing her serve in the opening game, Williams rallied to level the first set at 2-2.

However, Muchova seized the opportunity again in the seventh game, with Williams struggling on serve to fall 4-3 behind.

Muchova held for 5-3 and then broke Williams again to take the set, with Williams double-faulting on set point to the crowd’s dismay.

Any momentum shift in Muchova’s favour disappeared in the second set, as Williams broke in the opening game and again in the seventh game to take a 5-2 lead, holding on to force a deciding set.

In the third set, Williams visibly ran out of steam, with Muchova securing an early break, holding for a 3-0 lead, and maintaining her advantage to close out the victory.

(With inputs from AFP)

News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location :

New York, United States of America (USA)

First Published:

August 26, 2025, 07:19 IST

News sports 45-Year-Old Venus Williams Suffers Defeat In First Round Of US Open

Read More