Venus Williams has not been playing a lot of matches this season. She has only played ten matches this year and won three of them. Venus received a wildcard to play at the US Open but made an early exit for the third consecutive time at the event. She last won a match at the US Open in 2019. The fans were not appreciative of her performance in the match.
Venus was playing in her 100th US Open match, but it did not turn out to be special for the veteran. She could only win two games against unseeded Greet Minnen. It has been the most devastating loss for the 43-year-old at the US Open. One of the fans commented, “She should have just let another player get the wildcard. And the injury excuse is getting really old.” Venus was not spared by the fans after the loss.
She should have just let another player get the wildcard. And the injury excuse is getting really old…
— Shella Faytaren (@sufed4ever) August 30, 2023
The fans had expected a bit of fight from Venus but could not experience that. “Venus just showed up and earned $8000 tonight for 2. It’s time for Venus to quit altogether.” People did not hold back their thoughts while expressing disappointment with her performance.
Venus just showed up and earned $8000 tonight for 2 https://t.co/m6RqYV0LBJ’s time for Venus to quit altogether-:))
— Dawn (@Dawn91273141) August 30, 2023
In 2017, Venus lost to her sister, Serena Williams, with a scoreline of 1-6, 2-6, as she could only win three games. But Serena was ranked 17th, and this time, it was against 97th-ranked Minnen.
The Belgian was born in 1997 when Venus debuted at the US Open and finished as runner-up. The age gap is obviously there, but the fans pointed out that instead of Venus, any young player could have received the wildcard.
Venus Williams gives credit to Greet Minnen after painful US Open defeat
Venus entered the US Open for the 24th time and was looking for her first grand slam in two years. But her fate was decided in an hour and fourteen minutes. The 26-year-old secured her biggest win at the event. Venus accepted her graciously and was straightforward in giving credit to her opponent. She said that Minnen played incredibly well and hit every possible shot.
She also said that Minnen has the potential to win a grand slam or enter the top ten. The two-time US Open champion even said that her opponent has the capability of becoming world No.1. Although it was a painful defeat for Venus, she also seemed to accept that her opponent had also played well.
Minnen let out a roar after the victory as she was playing for the first time against the seven-time grand slam champion. She is only a win away from entering the third round at a major for the second time in her career. Venus might have lost the match, but it sure inspired Mineen, who will need it in the next match.