Venus Williams Loses First Round US Open at Age 45

Venus Williams, the 45-year-old seven-time Grand Slam champion, made a spirited return to the US Open after a two-year hiatus, competing in her 25th main draw appearance in New York. Despite her age and lower ranking, Williams pushed 11th seed Karolina Muchova to a thrilling three-set match, ultimately losing 6-3, 2-6, 6-1. Williams showed flashes of her trademark skill and aggressive play, finishing with 24 winners, and earned a raucous standing ovation from the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. She expressed pride in her performance and gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans worldwide, noting it was one of the most supportive crowds she had experienced. Serena Williams, who did not participate in the tournament, praised her sister's effort on social media, calling her performance inspiring and expressing immense pride. Although Williams exited in the first round, her comeback reflected her enduring competitive spirit and left fans hopeful for her future appearances.