Venus Williams was eliminated in the second round in Washington on Thursday night (Dutch time). The 45-year-old American, who participated in a WTA tournament again after more than a year, lost to the Polish Magdalena Frech.
Williams lost in two sets on the hard court against the number 24 in the world: 6-2 and 6-2. The veteran, who struggled with health problems last year, thanked the audience after her elimination.
In the first round, Williams was still too strong for her compatriot Peyton Stearns: 6-3 and 6-4. The former number one in the world became the oldest winner on the WTA Tour since 2004 with the victory.
Williams had received a wildcard for the tournament in Washington. Her last WTA tournament was in March 2024. The seven-time Grand Slam winner has also received a wildcard for the tournament in Cincinnati, which starts on August 7.
“I had so much fun with my return,” Williams said at the closing press conference. “This was not the result I was hoping for, but I can still learn from it. The fans in Washington are great. I enjoyed my first week after my comeback.”