45-Year-Old Venus Williams Falls to Linette in Season Opener

Venus Williams put up a good fight during Tuesday’s tussle with 33-year-old Pole Magda Linette, but the 45-year-old American eventually ran out of steam and dropped a 6-4 4-6 6-2 decision to the fifth-seed at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.

For Williams, who has taken a wild card into the Australian Open, it was a strong start to the Aussie swing.

She lasted two hours and 13 minutes with the world No.52 and had chances to move ahead in the final set, holding two break points that would have put her ahead 3-1 in the third.

“She was really hitting well, especially when she was running to the open space. It was really impressive and I had to stay calm to make sure that I’m a little bit more solid,” Linette said of the seven-time major champion.

Williams was also defeated in her first doubles match on Monday in Auckland. She paired with Elina Svitolina and fell to Alexandra Eala and Iva Jovic in a match tiebreak.

Will will become the oldest woman to ever play an Australian Open main draw match when she takes the court in Melbourne in a few weeks. She is currently ranked 582 in singles.

Win or lose, the American icon and future Hall of Famer is appreciated by tennis fans worldwide, and New Zealand is no exception.