Venus Williams, 45, exited the US Open in the first round after a 6-3 2-6 6-1 defeat to 11th seed Karolina Muchova. Despite the defeat, the American spoke positively about her performance, noting that while she had trained intensely for the past three months, she has no intention of traveling abroad to compete in additional tournaments.
Reflecting on the match, Williams explained that her slow start wasn’t a reflection of poor form but simply the reality of limited match play this season. “I didn’t win today, but I’m very proud of how I played,” she said, emphasizing that she is still piecing her game together.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion described competing under the bright lights of Flushing Meadows as a special experience, praising the enthusiastic crowd that supported her from start to finish.
When asked about her plans for the rest of the year, Williams admitted that she is unlikely to add more tournaments to her schedule. She ruled out traveling abroad and made clear she does not want to compete in the altitude of Guadalajara.
Her US Open appearance followed a brief but spirited return to action this summer, beginning with a winning comeback as a wildcard at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, which was her first singles match since March 2024, after injuries and health scares, including undergoing surgery for uterine fibroids. She also competed in Cincinnati before receiving a wildcard into New York.
Looking back on her past encounter with Muchova at the US Open, Williams drew a striking contrast. “When I think about the match I played against her in 2020, I was so uncomfortable. I wasn’t well. I was in so much pain. Today it’s night and day how much better I felt, so I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to play in feeling better, and at that rate, have a real chance.”
That gratitude stems from a grueling journey back to health. Williams revealed that for the last three months she has lived in near isolation, focused entirely on training. “I haven’t gone to dinner, I haven’t seen friends, I haven’t done anything except train in three months.”
Her return to competition, she explained, was more about health than results. “I think for me getting back on the court was about giving myself a chance to play more healthy,” she reflected, pausing to hold back tears. “When you play unhealthy, it’s in your mind. It’s not just how you feel. You get stuck in your mind too. So… it was nice to be freer.”
With those emotional words, Williams ended her press conference.
