Hong Kong (AFP) - Veteran American star Venus Williams suffered her seventeenth consecutive defeat in singles competitions, after losing to a player half her age, in the Hong Kong Open tennis tournament on Monday.
Published on: 02/11/2026 - 13:37
Williams, the 46-year-old former world number one, lost 2-6, 3-6 to her compatriot Marie Stojana in the first round.
In the first group, Williams, who is currently ranked 597th in the world, screamed while trying to catch a bouncing ball. She stumbled and almost lost her balance, finding herself trailing 2-5.
Despite the fans' support for Williams, Stoyana, ranked 113th in the world, did not back down in the second set, winning the match.
Williams, who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, last won in July 2025.
Last week, Williams lost in the Gwangju Open tournament in two sets to the young Austrian, Lilly Tager.
Before that, Williams participated in the US Open Championship during the months of August and September, where she was eliminated in the first round against her compatriot Sofia Kenin, without also being able to win any set.
Williams reached the semi-finals of the doubles competition in the Gwangju tournament, accompanied by Indonesian Janice Tjen. She also participates in doubles competitions in Hong Kong.
© 2026 AFP
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