Venus Williams suffered her 13th consecutive first-round singles loss, falling to Kamilla Rakhimova at the National Bank Open in Toronto, and the tennis community is once again fuming over what many see as yet another wasted wildcard that could have gone to an up-and-coming player.
The world No. 82 Rakhimova, a Russian-born player who switched to representing Uzbekistan last year, converted five of her six break-point opportunities to dispatch tennis legend Williams 6-4 6-1 at the WTA 1000 tournament in Canada.
Twelve years have passed since Williams reached the final in Toronto, where she finished runner-up to Agnieszka Radwanska. Now 46, even a single match victory would feel like a significant achievement, but it was not to be, as the American is still searching for her first singles win of the 2026 season.
After a 16-month absence, Williams began her comeback with a victory over Peyton Stearns in Washington in 2025. However, her singles results have since dried up completely, and she has now gone more than a year without winning a match.
Tournament organizers continue to award Williams wildcards because she remains one of the sport’s biggest icons and still draws crowds. But with the losses continuing to mount, many fans feel there is an increasingly bittersweet aspect to her comeback, arguing that each defeat chips away at her legacy while handing opponents just a symbolic victory over one of tennis’ greatest champions.
Here are some of the latest social media reactions that capture the growing frustration among tennis fans:
“I’ve tried to defend her continually taking wildcards away from other players because she is one of the greats and deserves a dignified exit. However, it is becoming more embarrassing to see player after player grabbing their ‘win’ against a champion like Venus. Difficult to watch.”
“It’s a shame she came back… there is no need for that really…”
“It’s honestly ridiculously at this point, matches aren’t even competitive.”
“My question is… playing for fun is understandable, but if there are only losses, where’s any fun in that!?!?”
“Venus just gotta let it go man. Just retire. You’re already a legend in this game, with nothing to prove.”
“When can this stupidity stop? Give her a wildcard for doubles, but she’s taking away a singles spot from someone who needs it way more than she does.”
“She moves like an old lady. Hate to say it but she should hang up her racket.”
