NEW YORK -- Venus Williams bowed out of her 26th US Open singles appearance early Monday morning, falling in straight sets to fellow American wild card Sofia Kenin after not getting on the court until after midnight local time.
The 46-year-old lost 6-2, 7-6 (6) in what could be her final singles match at a Grand Slam, if not her illustrious career. It was Williams' 14th consecutive singles defeat dating to her last victory in Washington in July 2025.
Williams has now lost six in a row at the US Open since winning in the first round in 2019. With doubles coming up later this week with sister Serena, Venus was not ready to contemplate her future in tennis.
"I don't think I should have to," Williams told a small group of reporters after the match. "My mind is fully focused on that: how I recover from this completely insane evening and get ready for the next one."