Venus Williams, the esteemed tennis player from the United States, bid farewell to the U.S. Open tennis championships with a wave to the cheering crowd. Unlike her sister Serena’s grand exit last year, Venus’s departure was quiet and understated, leaving fans wondering about her future in the sport. At the age of 43, Venus faced challenges on this humid evening, ultimately losing 6-1, 6-1 to Belgian qualifier Greet Minnen. It was her most lopsided defeat in her 100 career matches at the Grand Slam tournament, where she had previously won in 2000 and 2001. Despite the loss, the spectators gave Venus a warm send-off, applauding and cheering as she headed toward the locker room.
Venus expressed gratitude for the support she received from her loyal fans, acknowledging their unwavering presence throughout her career. As the oldest player in the tournament field, she appreciated the overwhelming support at the U.S. Open. While her first 21 appearances at the event resulted in victories, this marked her third consecutive first-round defeat. In a thrilling match on Arthur Ashe Stadium, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the second round when his opponent, Dominik Koepfer, was forced to retire due to an ankle injury.
Greet Minnen, the 26-year-old Belgian player, celebrated her victory over Venus with elation and respect for her legendary opponent. Ranked 97th in the world, Minnen acknowledged the honor of playing against Venus. To face her at the age of 43 was remarkable in itself. Venus, with her seven major championships, including five Wimbledon titles, has struggled in recent years, bowing out early in multiple Grand Slam tournaments. Injuries have plagued her, and this season she has only played 10 matches, winning three. Her latest setback, a knee injury, cast doubts on her participation in the U.S. Open, but she overcame the odds to compete.
Venus thanked her doctors for their assistance in getting her to the tournament, recognizing it as a blessing. She expressed her love for playing at the U.S. Open, despite the challenging match against Minnen, who played skillfully and had the answers to Venus’s shots. Reflecting on the match, Venus wished she had been better prepared to face Minnen’s incredible performance.
The humid conditions made it difficult for Venus to stay competitive against Minnen. She struggled with her serves, losing two early breaks and the majority of her second-serve points. Minnen utilized drop shots to keep Venus off-balance, ultimately securing her victory. Venus and her sister Serena have been dominant figures in the tennis world for over two decades, with a remarkable career that saw them both achieve the No. 1 ranking. Now that Serena has retired from professional tennis after giving birth to her second child, speculation arises regarding Venus’s future in the sport. However, Venus remains tight-lipped about her plans, declining to confirm her participation in future tournaments.
As Venus leaves the U.S. Open, fans and the tennis community eagerly await news about her next move.
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