NEW YORK — Venus Williams' first Grand Slam tournament in two years ended Tuesday when she and Leylah Fernandez lost in the US Open women's doubles quarterfinals to the top-seeded duo of Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova 6-1, 6-2.
When the match finished after 56 minutes in Louis Armstrong Stadium, Williams smiled as she walked to the net to shake hands with Siniakova, then hugged Townsend. Thousands of spectators rose to give Williams a standing ovation; Townsend and Siniakova then joined in, applauding for Williams.
«Growing up watching Venus and [her sister] Serena, for me and my sister, it was an inspiration,» Townsend told the crowd. «It was an honor to share the court today.»
Siniakova called Williams «a legend» and said it was «a privilege» to play against her.
The 45-year-old Williams earlier exited in the first round of both singles — bowing out against Karolina Muchova in three sets — and mixed doubles. She was out of competition for 16 months until returning to play at a tournament in Washington in July. Her most recent major tournament had been the 2023 US Open.
«What I'm proudest of is it's not easy to come off the bench. It really isn't, and I have never had a layoff that long. It brought new challenges that I wasn't ready for in so many ways. So I'm very proud that I… stayed myself. I didn't try to play another game. I didn't try to play it safe. I went for it, and that's who I am. I go for it. When you go for it, good things happen,» Williams said. «Perhaps I didn't get there this time, but I know who I am, and I know that I can work once I have a little chance.»
She said she wasn't sure of future plans but made it sound as if she plans to play again.
«Seeing Venus playing on court for joy just kind
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