TORONTO – Once upon a time, Venus Williams would routinely dispatch her challengers in less than 90 minutes.
Those prime years seem to be a distant memory.
Now, the legendary seven-time Grand Slam champion finds herself on the opposite end of quick matches, suffering a 6-4, 6-1 defeat to Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova in the opening round of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Toronto.
It took Rakhimova, just 24 years old, an hour and 27 minutes to overcome Williams, who at 46 displayed the marks of age on the court. Rakhimova implemented a strategy designed to keep Williams moving and capitalized on the waning athleticism of the American tennis idol.
Williams struggled to keep pace, visibly frustrated at times by her inability to reach shots she would have easily chased down a decade ago. This struggle translated into a multitude of unforced errors, including six double faults.
Despite the defeat, Williams maintained a positive outlook.
“I was just fighting to keep the ball in play and had moments of excitement out there, which made it really enjoyable,” she shared with a pool reporter after the match, opting not to address other reporters.
Her upbeat demeanor matched her sentiments from Saturday’s pre-match press conference.
“I approach it with the same dedication, focus, and ambition,” Williams remarked when asked about her current relationship with tennis. “Learning continues throughout my career, and I still find joy in the process.”
Even during a match that highlighted her physical limitations, Williams was able to uncover joy.
“What matters is determination and fighting spirit,” Williams reflected. “It felt wonderful to be back after such a long absence.”
Sunday marked Williams’ return to the Toronto courts since her loss to Jil Teichmann in 2022.
Rain delayed the start of matches that day. Although she was slated to appear on center court around 12:30 p.m., Williams didn’t take the stage until 2 p.m.
The adverse weather conditions did not dampen the crowd’s support, as fans rallied behind Williams, offering a standing ovation at the conclusion of the match. While it can be hard to see a once-great athlete struggle, Williams’ enduring passion for the sport hints at her determination to move forward.
In a remarkable parallel, Bianca Andreescu, who is only 26, shares a similar mindset with Williams.
The Mississauga, Ontario native has fought injuries that have consistently muddled her promising path, dimming what once appeared to be an ascendant trajectory.
Her shining moment came in 2019, when she clinched the then-named Rogers Cup in Toronto and followed it up with a victory at the US Open just weeks later.
Since that peak, however, Andreescu’s journey has seen its share of challenges, currently placing her at 174th in the rankings after a series of injuries that have hindered her career opportunities.
On Sunday evening, Andreescu was scheduled to return to the cherished home court where she first tasted success, facing No. 41-ranked Nikola Bartunkova from Czechia.
Regrettably, rain returned, canceling the evening session and postponing Andreescu’s long-awaited return to Sobeys Stadium Centre Court.
Like Williams, Andreescu could choose to step away from the game, yet her unwavering determination continues to draw her back, despite the sport’s unkind nature.
“What’s helped me most is not focusing on ‘How do I get back to that former self?’” Andreescu remarked during Saturday’s press conference. “Instead, it’s about using past experiences as lessons, and embracing who I am today in 2026.”
“So much has transpired since then… it was my inaugural full year on tour, and my sole focus was on that. Now, my goal is to recreate those results while also evolving as a person. I do feel that same joy, which has been my biggest challenge over the years. Fortunately, with the incredible support from my team, I’m learning to appreciate the journey more, which I hope leads to victories.”
Andreescu also mentioned her current state, expressing that she feels “super healthy,” a comforting sentiment after extensive rehabilitation efforts.
While results in competitive tennis are undoubtedly important, the will to keep playing, regardless of age or persistent injuries, speaks volumes.
Even if their prime years are behind them, the determination to persevere is an admirable quality.
