Venus Williams bows out of Washington Open after straight-sets defeat to ‘very emotional’ Magdalena Frech - ‘She's like a god’
Published 25/07/2025 at 09:34 GMT+1
React to this story
Magdalena Frech compared Venus Williams to a "god" after beating the former world No. 1 6-2 6-2 at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington. Williams, 45, became the oldest player in 21 years to win a tour-level singles match when she beat Peyton Stearns to make it to the second round. But Frech breezed past Williams, who made her return to the sport this week after a 16-month absence.
Venus Williams becomes the oldest player to win a WTA tour-level singles match since 2004
Video credit: SNTV
Magdalena Frech compared Venus Williams to a "god" after beating the former world No. 1 in straight sets at the DC Open on Thursday.
Poland’s Frech dispatched the 45-year-old 6-2 6-2 to make it to the third round in Washington.
But Frech was feeling sheepish upon beating seven-time Grand Slam winner Williams, whose first-round victory against Peyton Stearns had seen her become the oldest player to win a tour-level singles match since 2004.
"She's a superstar. She's like a god here, so it was very emotional for me to handle this match," Frech told the WTA. "I can't even imagine myself in 17 years still being on the court - no chance!
"It was really a great match and a great honour to play her.
"I won a lot of points from the first serve, and I really tried to move her on the court -- play different directions all the time, some drop shots, slice.
"I think I played well from the tactical side, and I'm really happy I'm in the quarter-finals."
Williams was making her return to tennis this week after a 16-month absence.
The defeat to Frech came a day after the American and Hailey Baptiste were narrowly beaten in the second round of the doubles event by Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai.
"I'm so grateful," Williams said in her post-match press conference. "I feel like I ran out of gas today, unfortunately. I tried to find the energy, and I didn't find it.
"But four matches in the first week is a lot. And I love playing doubles, and one of the reasons you don't play is because you just try to save your energy, plus it's hot.
"So when you're doing your training and the warm-up, you're spending an extra hour sweating it out. But I'm really grateful. I think without that doubles match, I don't know if I could have played as well in the singles.
- Williams revels in ‘beautiful night’ after making history with win in Washington
- Alcaraz joins Djokovic, Sinner in withdrawing from US Open warm-up event
"So I think everything served its purpose this week. I'm sorry to have fallen short, but I know I can play better, and I know that I will play better."
Williams added: "At the end of the day, driving a car is all the same. Different car, but same manoeuvres.
"But it does take a lot of energy; there's a tonne of stress, mentally, physically, emotionally at tournaments.
"I know how to deal with those things, but there's a lot less of that kind of stress off a tour. And I think it does take a little bit of time to get used to that again."
Williams will continue her return in August at the Cincinnati Open, where she has been given a wildcard to the main draw.
Watch and stream top tennis action live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Matches
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/geo/country/flag/large/2209.png)
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/geo/country/flag/large/2214.png)
2
2
6
6
Advertisement
Advertisement