Venus Williams thrilled to extend her own record at US Open
Venus Williams says playing in the U.S. Open again isn’t old — it’s exciting.
The icon may as well have been talking about herself.
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“Super thrilling to be back,” Williams said. “It does not get old. It just gets more exciting.”
When Williams takes on 11th-ranked Karolina Muchova on Monday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium, it will be her record-extending 25th appearance in the U.S. Open.
It comes at the ripe age of 45, making her the oldest player to compete in singles at the U.S. Open since 47-year-old Renée Richards set the record in 1981.
“I love my job,” Williams said. “So there’s the joy right there.”
While Williams is one of the all-time greats, with seven Grand Slam singles titles, including in 2000 and 2001 here in Flushing Meadows, this was an unexpected comeback.
She got a wild-card entry after being ranked 610th in the world.
It comes following a 16-month layoff from tennis that included surgery for uterine fibroids.
She had just returned last month at the Washington Open.
“I want to be my best, and that’s the expectation I have for myself, to get the best out of me. That’s all any player can ask for,” Williams said. “I haven’t played as much as the other players, so it’s a different challenge when you’re dealing with that. So I’m just trying to have fun, stay relaxed and be my personal best.”
Monday’s appearance comes 28 years after Williams’ 1997 debut at the U.S. Open, and she doesn’t plan to stop swinging a racket anytime soon.
“I think I’ll always play tennis. It’s in my DNA. So it doesn’t matter if it’s now or 30 years from now,” Williams said. “God willing, I’ll be here. We’ll all be here. We’ll all be hitting balls. But in any case, tennis will always be one of the most important parts of my life.”
Taylor Fritz beat Emilio Nava 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 and has won 22 of his past 27 matches since the end of the French Open, the most wins of any man on tour over that span.
He’ll have two days off before playing Sebastian Baez or Lloyd Harris.
No. 6 Ben Shelton ripped Ignacio Buse 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 and faces either Pablo Carreno Busta or Pablo Llamas Ruiz.
Shelton — an entertainer whose celebrations seemingly vexed Novak Djokovic — was asked if he’d like to see tennis ease up on the stoic decorum and etiquette, citing the attention the Noah Lyles-Kenny Bednarek beef in track and field has drawn.
“Yeah, I understand respecting your opponents and the traditions of tennis. At the same time, people get called out for little things or the wrong things that it’s, like, really? We’re going to give someone a hard time about that?” Shelton said. “Having a younger crowd in tennis is really important in attracting younger fans, the future fans of our sport. The kids love the flair and excitement and competition, and Bednarek shoving Lyles and them talking about it in the press conference afterwards, it’s exciting.
“Now when they go to Tokyo for the World Championships, something’s on the line and everyone’s tuning in. That’s sports.”
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