Venus Williams (USA) celebrates after a point against Magdalena Frech at the Mubadala Citi DC Open 2025

Venus Williams arrived at centre court composed, confident and prepared, but she was met by an undeniably tough opponent in Magdalena Frech (world No. 24), as her sensational comeback to tour-level tennis was halted by a 6-2 6-2 second-round loss at the Mubadala Citi DC Open 2025 on Thursday, 24 July.

The American tennis star, who became the second-oldest player to win a tour-level singles tennis match only two days prior, began the match on a high note, holding a single game lead over Frech at 2-1 in the first set. However, found herself outclassed as the match dragged on, ultimately losing to Frech in straight sets.

Exiting the tournament with her held high, much to the appreciation of the tennis faithful gathered to see her play, Williams reacted, “Definitely not the result I wanted, but still a learning experience.”

“The part about sport [and] life is that you never stop learning," she added. "I got to play a lot of matches here (in Washington D.C.) and that definitely was a plus. The fans in D.C. are just epic. I couldn't have been happier with my first week back."

Aged 45, Williams grabbed headlines around the world with her astonishing first-round victory over Peyton Stearns (world No. 35) on Tuesday, 22 July, after a 16-month break from tennis due to her long and silent battle with fibroids.

She held on to those headlines in between matches on Wednesday, 23 July, announcing her engagement to actor Andrea Preti – who only saw his fiancée play tour-level tennis for the first time a day prior.

While her exit from the Mubadala Citi DC Open 2025 came earlier than desired, the four-time Olympic champion chose to view her second-round loss to Poland’s Frech in a positive light, focusing on where she excelled and what she could improve on for future tournament appearances.

“There's so many learnings from here,” stated Williams. “I know exactly what I need to work on, where I can improve. The good news is I'm always in control of the point.”

“The important part is to put the ball in,” she added in jest, referencing a few wayward shots during her match on Thursday.

Williams will need to be a quick study as well, with an appearance at the Cincinnati Open 2025 looming large on the horizon, after the 45-year-old tennis star accepted a wildcard entry into the tournament on Wednesday, 23 July.

With grumblings of a potential U.S. Open return catching steam in recent days, Williams will hope to make the most of a few days off, licking her wounds, digesting a tournament gone by and preparing for an even greater battle at the Cincinnati Open 2025.

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