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Venus Williams became visibly emotional during his post-match media session at the US Open on Monday.
Williams answered journalists’ questions after being eliminated from the last Grand Chelem of this year in the first round by Karolina Muchova of the 11th seeded of the Czech Republic. Williams is twice champion in the United States, but has not participated in a Grand Colem in the past two years when she has worked through a series of health setbacks.
Williams, 45, seemed to fight tears when she began to reflect the challenges she faced during her way to the tennis court.
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Venus Williams after losing against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic (not illustrated) on the second day of the US Open 2025 tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, New York. (Robert Deutsch / Imagn images)
“Oh, what did I prove to myself? I think, for me, to come back to the field, was it to give me a chance to play more healthy,” replied Williams after being asked if she was going to go to the United States.
“When you play unhealthy, it’s in your mind, it’s not just what you feel – you are also stuck in your mind.”
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“So, uh, it was pleasant to be freer,” she added.
Williams’ voice trembled during his answer when his behavior became more and more emotional.
Venus Williams of the United States reacts against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic in their female match in the first round on the second day of the US Open of 2025 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 25, 2025 in the Flushing district of Queens Borough in New York City. (Images Clive Brunskill / Getty)
“The lights are very bright there,” said Williams. “I don’t think I had a crowd so much on my side. When I lost these first two games, they were still there with me at every point. No matter if I lost and it was starting to roll quickly, they were right there with me, and it was great.
“I knew that in this match that people of this stadium, people in the United States, people around the world were really rooted for me, and it was great. It was great to have this kind of support.”
Venus Williams of the United States of America strikes Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic (not illustrated) on the second day of the American open tennis tournament 2025 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, New York on August 25, 2025. (Robert Deutsch / Imagn images)
After several moments of silence, the moderator announced that the press conference had ended.
Last year, Williams underwent surgery to approach uterine fibroids. She also faced a subsequent health battle as a result of an erroneous diagnosis.
After more than a year of the competition, Williams returned to the Court in July. She participated in the Citi Open in Washington, DC
Williams became the second oldest woman ever registered to win a title in a single tour level. After her victory, Williams joked, she fought to return to a professional competition for health insurance coverage.
“I had to come back for insurance because they informed me earlier this year that I am on Cobra,” she said. “So I said to myself:” I was able to get my advantages. “”
