Venus Williams’ Losing Streak Extends to 15 Matches After Late-Night US Open Battle

Venus Williams’ difficult run in singles continued at the US Open as the 46-year-old American suffered her 15th consecutive defeat, losing to fellow American Sofia Kenin in a match that ended around 2am in New York.

Williams came close to forcing a deciding set in the first-round encounter but was unable to convert her opportunities. Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, fought off seven set points before eventually securing a 6-2, 7-6 (8-6) victory.

The match began at 12:13am local time, making it the latest start in US Open history. It had been delayed after Mariano Navone’s five-set victory over Novak Djokovic on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

By the time the match concluded, fewer than 1,000 spectators remained in the stands.

Williams, who received a wildcard to compete at her home Grand Slam, admitted that the unusually late start was far from ideal.

“It’s not ideal. I would have preferred something else definitely,” Williams said. “I think it wasn’t great for either of us, so I think we both tried our best.”

The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion also questioned whether such late starts should be possible in professional sport.

“I just don’t know any other sport where you have to start that late. I definitely think there’s room for improvement there.”

Despite the difficult circumstances, Williams said she continued to push herself to find her rhythm and produce her best tennis.

“I just kept pushing myself to try to find my best tennis and to find my rhythm,” she said. “It’s not easy to do in the first round. It’s not easy to do it at 1am or 2am in the morning.”

Williams’ last singles victory came in July 2025, and her latest defeat means she will once again leave the US Open without ending her prolonged run without a win.