The legend still stands
Venus Williams lost. Again. But listen carefully, because the important thing is not the final score. The important thing is what he said afterwards.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion, aged 45, fell 6-2, 6-4 to Kaitlin Quevedo at the WTA in Madrid. His tenth straight defeat in singles. Anyone would think about retirement.
But Venus thinks of Paris.
“Yeah, I mean, to get my feet dirty, this was a great start… We’d love to keep going on clay,”
That’s what he declared after the game. He talks about Roland Garros as if it were his next challenge, not his farewell. That’s temper. That’s love for the game.
Adjustments on clay
Williams had not played on clay since Roland Garros 2021. Five years without stepping foot in Madrid. Recognize that you need time to adjust again.
“All of these things require adjustments. I started practicing on clay a couple of weeks after Miami. I haven’t really played on clay in years,”
She explained with that honesty that characterizes her.
His last victory was nine months ago, in Washington. This year he has losses in Auckland, Hobart, Melbourne, Austin, Indian Wells and Miami. The numbers are cold. Not Venus’s attitude.
The privilege of facing a legend
On the other side of the net was Kaitlin Quevedo, 20 years old, Spanish. She achieved her first victory in a WTA 1000 and only her second professional victory.
“I was very surprised… I am very happy to have been able to play for the first time against such a legend”,
said Quevedo, becoming the youngest Spaniard to win a main match in Madrid.
That’s the beauty of the sport: a legend that continues to fight and a new generation that grows up facing it.
Venus could be comfortable giving lectures or enjoying her life off the court. Instead, he chooses to continue “getting his feet dirty.” Because when you truly love something, numbers don’t matter. It’s important to keep trying.
Roland Garros awaits. And Venus Williams too.
