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Venus Williams was visibly emotional during his media session after the match at the US Open Monday.
Williams asked questions from journalists after she was removed from this year’s last Grand Slam in the first round of the 11th seed Karolina Mentova from the Czech Republic. Williams is a two-time US Open Singles Champion, but has not competed in a Grand Slam for the past two years as she worked through a series of health setbacks.
Williams, 45, seemed to strike back tears as she began to reflect on the challenges she faced under her way back to the tennis court.
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Venus Williams after losing to Karolina Muchova from the Czech Republic (not depicted) on day two of 2025 US Open Tennis Tournament in Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, New York. (Robert Deutsch/IMAGN -Pictures)
“Oh, what did I prove to myself? I think, to me, to get back on the field was about giving myself a chance to play more healthy,” Williams replied after being asked if she proved something for herself by making it back to the United States open.
“When you play unhealthy, it’s in your mind, it’s not just how you feel – you’re stuck in your mind.”
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“So, um, it was nice to be freer,” she added.
Williams’ voice quivered during her answer as her behavior became increasingly emotional.
Venus Williams from the United States responds to Karolina Mentova from the Czech Republic during their woman’s singles first round match on day two of 2025 US Open in Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 25, 2025 in the flush neighborhood of Queens Borough of New York City. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
“The lights are very bright out there,” Williams said. “I don’t think I’ve ever had an audience so much on my side. When I lost the first two matches, they just were still right there with me every point. It didn’t matter if I lost and it started to roll quickly, they were right there with me and it felt good.
“I knew I was going into this fight that people in this stadium, people in the US, people all over the world really messed up for me, and it felt good. It felt good to have that kind of support.”
Venus Williams from the United States of America affects Karolina Mentova from the Czech Republic (not depicted) on day two of the 2025 US Open Tennis Tournament in Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, New York on August 25, 2025. (Robert Deutsch/IMAGN -Pictures)
After several moments of silence, the moderator announced that the press conference had ended.
Last year, Williams underwent operation to tackle Uterusfibroids. She also faced a subsequent health struggle after a misdiagnosis.
After more than a year away from competition, Williams returned to court in July. She competed in the Citi Open in Washington, DC
Williams became the second best woman on a record to win a tour level single title. After her victory, Williams said she was struggling to return to professional competition for health insurance coverage.
“I had to return to the insurance because they informed me earlier this year that I was at Cobra,” she said. “So I was like, ‘I had to get my benefits on.'”
