Venus Williams, 45, Set for Record 25th US Open Appearance Against Karolína Muchová

New York, Aug. 24, 2025 — Venus Williams will step onto the court on Monday night for her 25th US Open appearance, the most by any player in tournament history. At 45 years old, the former world No. 1, now ranked 610, will face Karolína Muchová of the Czech Republic, the No. 11 seed and a two-time semifinalist in New York.

Williams is the oldest singles player in the US Open since Renée Richards competed in 1981. She first played the tournament in 1997 as a teenager, reaching the final that year when Arthur Ashe Stadium was newly opened.

Throughout her career, Williams has claimed seven Grand Slam singles titles — five at Wimbledon and two at the US Open — and 14 doubles titles with her sister Serena. She has been world No. 1 in both singles and doubles, captured four Olympic gold medals, and earned more than $43 million in prize money.

After spending 16 months away from the game for surgery and recovery, Venus Williams returned to action in July at the Washington Open, where she defeated world No. 35 Peyton Stearns. She later said that her fiancé, Italian actor and producer Andrea Preti, played a big role in encouraging her to continue. “My fiancé pushed me to keep going,” Williams explained after the win.

Williams has not claimed a victory at the US Open since 2019, and facing Karolína Muchová will be a difficult challenge. Still, she says her passion for tennis keeps her motivated. “I believe I’ll always play tennis,” she said. “It’s a part of me. No matter if it’s now or many years later, tennis will always remain one of the most important parts of my life.”

Her return also coincides with the 75th anniversary of Althea Gibson’s debut at the US National Championships. Williams highlighted Gibson’s influence, stating, “Althea accomplished so much, and a lot of it has not been given the credit it deserves.”

Several players and former champions have spoken about Williams’s impact. Frances Tiafoe described her as “one of the best athletes of all time,” while Naomi Osaka emphasized her broader significance beyond age. Former US Open champion Andy Roddick defended the decision to grant Williams a wildcard entry, calling her “a gift to the game.”

Williams acknowledged the challenges of competing at this stage in her career but stressed her focus on performance and enjoyment. “I want to be my best, and that’s the expectation I have for myself,” she said. “I’m just trying to have fun, stay relaxed, and be my personal best.”

Williams is scheduled to play Muchová under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night.

Source: theguardian