Tennis legend Venus Williams' record-extending 25th appearance at the U.S. Open came to an end on Monday after a three-set battle against the 11th seed, Karolina Muchova. The 45-year-old icon showed flashes of her vintage best under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium but ultimately fell 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 in a thrilling first-round encounter that lasted two hours.
After dropping the first set, Williams, fueled by a passionate and partisan home crowd, mounted a spectacular comeback. Displaying the powerful groundstrokes and sharp net play that defined her career, she broke Muchova twice to emphatically claim the second set and force a decider. However, the 29-year-old Czech proved too strong in the end, as Williams' energy faded in the final set, allowing Muchova to race to victory.
Despite the loss, Williams was proud of her performance and deeply moved by the overwhelming support she received. "I didn’t win today, but I’m very proud of how I played," said the two-time U.S. Open champion. "I don’t think I’ve ever had a crowd that much on my side... every point. It didn’t matter if I was losing... they were just right there with me. That felt great."
For Williams, the match represented a personal victory, as she was able to compete without the pain that has plagued her in recent years. She noted a night-and-day difference compared to her last match against Muchova in 2020. "When you play unhealthy, it's in your mind... It was nice to be freer," she explained, becoming emotional when discussing her improved physical condition.
When asked about her future, the seven-time Grand Slam champion remained non-committal, suggesting she has no plans to compete for the remainder of the year. Regarding the upcoming Australian Open, she simply stated, "That's kind of far too." Her emotional first-round exit leaves the tennis world wondering if this was the last time they will see the trailblazing icon compete at Flushing Meadows.