Venus Williams’ campaign in Cincinnati was short-lived, having bowed out in her opening clash to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
After receiving a wildcard for the event, which she last appeared at in 2023, Williams lost in the first round to Bouzas Maneiro, 6-4, 6-4.
The American legend had earned her first singles win on the WTA Tour in two years at the Washington Open two weeks prior against compatriot Peyton Stearns.
Williams couldn’t replicate her heroics in Cincinnati, however, and has since broken her silence on social media.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
Two days after the defeat to the Spaniard, the eight-time Grand Slam champion took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to send a message to the Cincinnati fans.
Williams wrote: “Thank you @cincytennis for your unmatched energy and support.”
The 45-year-old put up a fight against Bouzas Maneiro and broke the world number 42’s serve on four different occasions.
It wasn’t to be for Williams, though, and after an hour and 27 minutes of play, she waved goodbye to the Cincinnati crowd for potentially the last time.
Venus Williams’ next tournament on the WTA Tour
Following her exit at the WTA 1000 event, Williams will set her sights on the US Open, where she will feature in the mixed doubles competition.
She will play alongside fellow American Reilly Opelka, who together make up one of eight wild card entries in the reimagined tournament.
The star-studded lineup will showcase pairings such as Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, as well as Jannik Sinner and Emma Navarro.
Williams has two mixed doubles Grand Slam titles to her name, and will look to make a deep run at Flushing Meadows alongside Opelka in pursuit of a third.