By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Venus Williams, playing in her first match since January, found herself on the losing side to a Swiss teenager making her WTA main draw debut.
Seventeen-year-old Celine Naef of Switzerland walked away with a 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2 win in the opening round of the Libema Open in Den Bosch, Netherlands.
The victory, though well-earned, was perhaps more surprising given that it was Naef’s first-ever match in a WTA main draw.
Williams, 42, entered the tournament having played her last competitive singles match since injuring her hamstring in January.
“Amazing. I cannot believe I had the chance to play against Venus," Naef said on court after her victory. "She's an amazing player and really a role model for everyone."
Serena Williams observed the match from the stands as her older sister battled on the main court.
For a while, Williams, now ranked World No. 696, appeared to have the advantage over her younger opponent. After fighting off two break points in the seventh game of the first set, Williams took a 4-3 lead. She then broke Naef at love to go up 5-3 and then served a love game herself to close out the set 6-3.
Williams earned another break in the second set, and soon jumped out to a 4-2 lead. Yet Naef, not overawed by her opponent or the occasion, soon turned the match to her favor.
Naef broke back later in the set and eventually forced a tiebreak. The Swiss teen took an early lead in the breaker and never looked back. Williams, facing a set point against her, sent a backhand into the net that put the match into a decider.
Both women traded service breaks early in the final set. Yet it was Naef who took advantage of increasing errors from Williams down the stretch. Naef eventually ran away with the final set to secure the biggest win of her young career 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2.
Williams, a five-time Wimbledon champion, is expected to compete in additional grass court warm up events leading up to the Championships which start on July 3.
Photo Credit: Mike Newell/Camerasport