Venus Williams's 26th trip to the US Open ended early Monday when Sofia Kenin beat her 6-2, 7-6(6) in the first round at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The loss extended Williams's singles skid to 15 consecutive defeats, a streak dating back to July 2025.
Kenin, 27, controlled the opener from the start, wrapping up the first set in just 32 minutes. Still, Williams found another gear in the second. Down 4-2, the 46-year-old rallied to force a tiebreak before Kenin closed it out on her second match point.
Venus Williams Makes US Open History Despite Loss
The match itself made history — though for the wrong reasons.
Novak Djokovic's four-and-a-half-hour contest pushed the schedule past midnight. By the time Williams and Kenin walked on court at 12:13 AM ET, they'd already set a record for the latest start in US Open history. Their meeting didn't wrap until 2:01 AM ET.
Both players entered the 2026 US Open on wildcards, and when asked about her future in singles afterward, Williams kept it brief.
"I don't think I should have to" she said when asked whether she's thought about retirement, noting her focus had already shifted to doubles alongside sister, Serena Williams.
