VENUS WILLIAMS fought back tears in an emotional press conference after being knocked out of the US Open.
The legendary 45-year-old looked in incredible form and shape despite a first-round defeat on Monday night.
She was at her explosive best despite a 3-6, 6-2, 1-6 defeat to Czech No11 seed Karolina Muchova.
Seven-time Grand Slam winner Williams has now been tipped to continue her iconic trophy-laden career.
She also played at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington and the Cincinnati Open this year.
Her return to the court came after 16 months out.
And Williams was visibly moved after her exit on Arthur Ashe at Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York.
She was reflecting on her journey back to her home Grand Slam.
“What did I prove to myself?,” a teary two-time US Open champion said afterwards.
“I think for me getting back on the court was about giving myself a chance to play more healthy.
“When you play unhealthy, it’s in your mind. It’s not just how you feel.
“You get stuck in your mind too. It was nice to be freer.”
Williams has suffered from Sjogren’s syndrome for more than a decade.
It is an energy-draining auto-immune disease that can cause pain in the joints.
And the veteran has insisted she does not want to travel too far away from the United States if she does carry on her career.
“Are there any tournaments in the States? Can someone move a tournament here?,” she added.
How to watch the 2025 US Open
THE tennis world has descended upon New York City for the fourth and final slam of the year.
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows will have the eyes of the sporting universe upon it.
The 2025 US Open takes place from Sunday 24 August to Sunday 7 September.
And there is a standalone mixed-double competition as well as qualifying taking place in the week beforehand.
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“I don’t know that I’m willing to travel that far at this stage in my career to go play.
“I love playing. The level of my game has come up so much since D.C.
“I tried as hard as I could to throw off any rust, but there’s only so much that can really be accomplished in three or four matches.
“My goal is to do what I want to do. I wanted to be here this summer.
“I’m so grateful for all the folks who gave me a wild card.”
Williams was then asked about her schedule and possible plans to play at the Australian Open in January.
“”Is there something? I don’t play in high altitude either, so I won’t be going to Guadalajara,” she said.
“Australia is kind of far too.”
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