Venus Williams Falls Short in Record-Late U.S. Open Opener Against Kenin
Venus Williams and Sofia Kenin began their first-round match at 12:13 a.m. ET, the latest start in U.S. Open history, with Kenin winning 6-2, 7-6(6). Williams, 46, held seven set points in the second set but failed to convert, extending her losing streak to 15 matches. The match ended at 2:01 a.m., also the latest finish for a first-round contest at the tournament.
Williams' 96th major main-draw appearance extended a difficult stretch that has seen her winless at the U.S. Open since 2019, with her last Grand Slam singles victory coming at Wimbledon in 2021 against Ons Jabeur. Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, entered with a 6-20 singles record this year, making the late-night battle between two struggling former champions particularly poignant. The match was shifted to Arthur Ashe Stadium after Novak Djokovic's five-setter against Mariano Navone concluded, with rain and a roof failure having already delayed the evening schedule. Williams now turns to doubles alongside sister Serena, a pairing that reunited at the Cincinnati Open and nearly rallied against Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns.
This match could resonate beyond tennis fans as a reflection on athletic longevity and the emotional pull of farewell tours. Williams' continued presence draws audiences who grew up watching her dominate, potentially boosting viewership for her doubles run with Serena. The record-late start may also prompt renewed discussion about tournament scheduling and player welfare, though no immediate changes are certain.