Venus Williams’ memorable US Open doubles run got here to an finish with a quarter-final loss at Flushing Meadows.
The 45-year-old made an age-defying return to tennis this yr, turning into the oldest WTA singles match winner since 2004 in July, and her matches within the ladies’s singles, doubles and blended doubles made her appointment viewing.
Her partnership with Canadian Leylah Fernandez had drawn packed crowds within the first three rounds, and it was the identical in opposition to prime seeds Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Townsend has been a fan favorite this yr, too, due to her headline-grabbing run in singles, however there was no doubting which American had the overwhelming assist right here.
The cheers made little distinction to the end result with Townsend and Siniakova exhibiting their class in a 6-1 6-2 victory.
Williams, who once more needed to make do with sister Serena supporting from afar, waved to all sides of the court docket as she made her exit and, whether it is to be her ultimate US Open look, she is going to take fond recollections together with her – however ideas of lastly hanging up the racket seem like removed from her thoughts.
“I think after this tournament I can really see where I want to improve, what I can work on,” mentioned Williams.
“I think that it’s all great feedback. But I had a lot of chances to play a lot of matches here, which is what I would desperately need to get better. I saw myself improving so much with every match I was playing. In a lot of ways, we just ran out of time.
“I want I may have performed higher at present for Leylah. I blame myself for lots of it. I simply wasn’t there. We performed a fantastic group. They’ve been enjoying collectively for years. They’ve had loads of success. They only had a bit of bit extra time to tug all of it collectively than we did.”
Williams has not performed exterior the US for 2 years and has made no secret of the actual fact she doesn’t wish to journey, so it seems unlikely she would play once more till the spring.
Requested what her on-court future may maintain, she mentioned: “I was so focused on this tournament here. I really felt like we had a chance to continue to play into the tournament.
“So I have never provided that any thought. I do have commitments, locations I mentioned I might be, folks anticipating me to be there the following few weeks. So I’ve to go and present up.
“If there is opportunity for me to play, then hopefully I can get back somewhere this year. I just don’t know.”
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