Venus Williams Deflects Retirement Talk After Late-Night US Open Exit

Venus Williams fell in straight sets to Sofia Kenin in a first-round US Open match that began after midnight, marking her 14th consecutive singles defeat. The 46-year-old said she is not contemplating her tennis future, focusing instead on recovering for her upcoming doubles match with sister Serena. The contest set records for the latest start and finish of a first-round match in tournament history.
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The match’s unusual timing stemmed from a lengthy preceding contest, pushing the start past midnight. Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, has struggled recently, with her last singles win coming over a year ago. Despite the loss, she displayed resilience, rallying from a break down in the second set before falling in a tiebreaker. Her focus now shifts to doubles with her sister Serena, a partnership that has brought her past success.
Williams’ US Open history includes titles in 2000 and 2001, but she hasn’t advanced past the first