Venus Williams loses US Open late match

Venus Williams was defeated 6-2, 7-6(6) by fellow American Sofia Kenin in a US Open first-round match that concluded at 2:01am on Monday morning. The contest began at 12:13am, marking the latest start to a match in the tournament's history.

At 46 years old and ranked 611th in the world, Williams was making a record-extending 26th US Open singles appearance. The seven-time grand slam champion has not won a match at a major tournament since Wimbledon in 2021, and this loss extends her losing streak at tour level to 15 matches.

The match details

Williams was broken in her opening service game. She briefly recovered to 2-3 in the first set, but Kenin won the next three games to secure the set in 32 minutes.

The second set was more competitive. Kenin took an early break, but a series of errors allowed Williams back into contention. The veteran fought off four break points to force a tie-break, where she built a 6-2 lead and held four set points. Kenin saved them all, winning the next six points to clinch the match.

Kenin finished with more than twice as many winners as Williams (28 to 13) and won 61% of points against Williams's second serve.

Player reactions

Sofia Kenin said Venus was playing some amazing tennis and that she just tried to keep fighting.

Williams was critical of the scheduling, saying it was not ideal and that she would have preferred something else, adding it wasn't great for either of them.

Her mind is now on doubles. Williams said her mind is fully focused on that: how she recovers from this completely insane evening and gets ready for the next one. She is scheduled to play women's doubles with her sister Serena starting Thursday.

The wildcard debate

Williams's participation as a wildcard has sparked discussion about whether the spot should go to a younger player. A first-round loser at this year's US Open earns $140,000, a sum that can be crucial for lower-ranked professionals.

US Open incoming tournament director Craig Tiley defended the decision, saying in their view, Venus deserved a wildcard. He cited her contribution to the game and what she brings to the event, stating he didn't think one second about it. He called her a magnificent champion, an American tennis icon, and noted the feedback from fans who want to see Venus play.

A lasting legacy

Williams made her US Open debut in 1997 as a 17-year-old, the same year Arthur Ashe Stadium was completed. She reached the final as an unseeded player that year. A former world No. 1 in singles and doubles, she has won four Olympic gold medals and 14 grand slam doubles titles.

Thousands of spectators remained in Arthur Ashe Stadium past 2am to watch the match, offering a verdict on her enduring appeal. Kenin advances to a second-round match against the No. 3 seed, Jessica Pegula.