Venus Williams' Comeback Story Hits a Wall at the DC Open
Venus Williams walked into the DC Open this week chasing a moment that had eluded her for years — back-to-back victories on the WTA Tour. At 45 years old, she showed flashes of brilliance, but her run ended Thursday night with a 6-2, 6-2 loss to 24th seed Magdalena Frech.
Earlier in the week, Venus stunned the tennis world by taking down 35th-ranked Peyton Stearns in the first round. That win didn’t just mark her first singles victory since 2023 — it made her the oldest woman to win a tour-level match since Martina Navratilova in 2004. Ever the icon, Venus joked afterward that her motivation was to get back on the WTA’s health insurance plan after being off the tour for over a year.
She didn’t stop there. Venus also bagged a win in doubles, making her return even more meaningful. This was her first tournament since March 2024, having stepped away from competition to recover from surgery for uterine fibroids.
Still, history shows how long it’s been since Venus went on a run — her last winning streak came in 2019, when she reached the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals. She was hoping to recreate that momentum this week.
Against Magdalena Frech, she started strong, jumping ahead 2-1. But from that point on, the match slipped away. Frech, a 27-year-old from Poland known for her consistency, won seven straight games, taking control and never letting go.
The evening had all the energy of a spotlight match. The crowd roared as Venus stepped onto the court, resistance band in hand, exuding the confidence of a champion. Her groundstrokes still thundered across the net — proof that the power hasn’t left her. But what let her down was timing. A few mistimed shots, including a key forehand miss while charging the net, gave Frech the edge.
Visibly frustrated, Venus shook her head and dropped her shoulders after several errors. She ended the first set with 14 unforced errors, more than twice what Frech committed. Yet the crowd stayed with her — sighing with every miss, cheering with every winner.
When Venus dropped the opening game of the second set, fans rallied behind her with chants of "Here we go, Venus! Here we go!" She responded with grit, holding serve and then breaking Frech to narrow the gap to 4-2. It felt like a turning point — but Frech stayed locked in and didn’t let her back in.
The match ended after 1 hour and 12 minutes on a final forehand that sailed long. But for the fans, it wasn’t about the scoreline. They rose to their feet for a standing ovation, saluting one of the sport’s greatest warriors. Venus smiled, twirled, and waved — a celebration not of victory, but of longevity and legacy.
“We’re never going to say goodbye to Venus Williams, are we?” the stadium announcer asked, and judging by the applause, the answer was clear.
Elsewhere at the DC Open: Raducanu Dominates, Pegula Upset
While Venus drew most of the spotlight, Thursday night delivered some blockbuster results. Top seed Jessica Pegula was knocked out in a tight battle by 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, who edged her 6-3, 1-6, 7-5.
But the marquee matchup of the night was a first-time clash between Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka — two former US Open champions. It didn’t disappoint.
Raducanu came out swinging, showing no nerves in her 6-4, 6-2 victory. “There was definitely a little extra buzz tonight,” she said post-match. “Everyone seemed to be waiting for this one.”
The young Brit, who stunned the world by winning the 2021 US Open as a qualifier, was nearly flawless. She saved both break points she faced and broke Osaka’s serve three times, sending a clear message: she’s back.
Men's Seeds Roll On
In the men’s draw, several top names moved safely into the next round, including:
No. 4 Ben Shelton
No. 6 Frances Tiafoe
No. 7 Alex de Minaur
No. 8 Daniil Medvedev
No. 12 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
No. 14 Brandon Nakashima
Venus Williams may not have notched that second win, but her presence reminded everyone why she’s still one of the most beloved athletes in tennis history. And with every match she plays, her story continues to inspire.
Description:
"Tennis legend Venus Williams’ DC Open comeback ended in a 6-2, 6-2 loss to Magdalena Frech, but the 45-year-old icon captivated fans with her return after surgery and a year off the tour. Plus: Raducanu stuns Osaka, Pegula upset, and top men’s seeds advance."