Venus Williams Bows Out of 26th US Open in First-Round Loss to Sofia Kenin

NEW YORK — Venus Williams's run at her 26th US Open ended in the first round early Tuesday morning, as she fell to fellow American Sofia Kenin 6-2, 7-6 (6) at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match, which began after midnight, marked another difficult chapter in a challenging stretch for the 46-year-old, who has now lost 14 consecutive singles matches since her last victory in Washington in July 2025.

The opening set lasted just 32 minutes, with Kenin taking control early and closing it out 6-2, as reported by ANI. Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, showed resilience in the second set, battling back from a 2-4 deficit to force a tiebreak. However, Kenin held her nerve to seal the win, with Williams missing several set points in the tiebreak, according to ANI.

Williams's exit extends a difficult period; she has now lost six consecutive matches at the US Open since winning in the first round in 2019, and 14 straight singles matches overall since her last victory in Washington in July 2025, as The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Speaking to a small group of reporters outside her locker room, Williams reflected on the match and her mindset. "I always try to appreciate it, but it is definitely all business and there's no room for error," she said, according to the New York Post. "As much as you get close to knock on the door, it still isn't over until you really cross that line. So try to soak it in. It is more fun when the ball's going in." Williams's remarks came after a match in which she battled back from a 2-4 deficit in the second set to force a tiebreak, before Kenin closed out the victory.

The match was one of the latest in US Open history for a women's singles contest, and Williams received applause from the crowd as she left the court. Kenin, who won the opening set 6-2 in 32 minutes, held her nerve in the tiebreak to seal the straight-sets win, as reported by ANI.

Williams's loss extends a difficult period in her singles career. She has now lost 14 consecutive singles matches since her last victory in Washington in July 2025, a streak that includes six consecutive first-round exits at the US Open. Her most recent win at the tournament came in the first round in 2019, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The defeat could mark the end of Williams's Grand Slam singles career, though she has not announced any retirement plans. The match at Arthur Ashe Stadium was her 26th appearance in the main draw of the US Open, a record of longevity that underscores her enduring presence in the sport.

Match Highlights

Kenin dominated the opening set, wrapping it up in 32 minutes. In the second set, Williams showed resilience, overcoming a 2-4 deficit to force a tiebreak. However, Kenin held her nerve, converting her match point to close out the win.

Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and former world No. 1, has been a fixture at the US Open for over two decades. Her career includes two US Open titles (2000, 2001) and two more finals appearances. While her recent singles results have been marked by defeats, her legacy as one of the sport's most successful and influential players remains undisputed.

Context and Reactions

Williams's post-match comments reflected a mixture of appreciation and frustration. "I always try to appreciate it, but it is definitely all business and there's no room for error," she said. "As much as you get close to knock on the door, it still isn't over until you really cross that line." Her words, delivered to reporters outside the locker room, underscored the competitive mindset that has defined her career, even as she acknowledged the difficulty of the sport at this stage.

Kenin, a former Australian Open champion, advanced to the second round with the victory. She did not comment publicly after the match, according to available reports.

A Storied Career

The loss comes amid a challenging period for Williams, who has struggled to find form since returning from a series of injuries. Her 14-match losing streak, which began in July 2025, has raised questions about her future in the sport. While Williams has not confirmed whether she will continue competing, her comments after the match reflected a focus on the present moment rather than speculation about retirement.

The match also highlighted the late-night conditions that have become a hallmark of the US Open's early rounds. The start after midnight meant the match extended into the early hours, a factor that both players had to contend with. Kenin, a former Grand Slam champion, will advance to the second round.