Venus Williams won’t let this setback affect her love for the game.
Shortly after the tennis star lost her Aug. 25 first round match against Karolína Muchová at the 2025 US Open, she detailed how liberating it felt to be back on the court following her two-year hiatus.
“I definitely had a bit of a slow start, but it’s not really a bad thing,” Venus told reporters in a post-game interview, per CNN. “I just haven’t played a lot of matches, so I’m still finding everything. I didn’t win today, but I’m very proud of how I played.”
Indeed, the 45-year-old wasn’t solely focused on winning the match, which marked her first time competing in the U.S. Open since 2023. Instead, Venus wanted to prove that she could return to the tournament at her healthiest, as she underwent surgery for uterine fibroids—non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus—last July.
“I think for me, getting back on the court was about giving myself a chance to play more healthy,” she continued, becoming visibly emotional. “When you play unhealthy, it’s in your mind. It’s not just how you feel. You get stuck in your mind, too. So it was nice to be freer.”
And while Venus—who’s engaged to actorAndrea Preti—felt comfortable on the court, she noted the support she received from the crowd made this comeback sweeter.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a crowd that much on my side,” the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion explained. “When I lost those first two games, they were just still right there with me every point. Didn’t matter if I was losing and it was starting to roll fast, they were just right there with me, and it felt great.”
She continued, “I knew going into this match that people in this stadium, people in the United States, people around the world were really rooting for me.”
Venus’ lighthearted words come over four months after she teased if she’s retiring from the sport.
“I really don’t have a plan for the first time in my life,” she said in an April 1 recap video of her time at the WTA tournament. “As an athlete and a player, there’s a whole plan [like], ‘I’m gonna play this tournament and play these tournaments so I’d be ready for that tournament.’ “Now it’s like, ‘Oh, I love playing. I’m gonna play every day.’ And if I feel ready to play, then I’ll play.”
Keep reading for all the stars who’re taking in the matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium this year…
Rainn Wilson, Mindy Kaling & B.J. Novak
Dunder Mifflin for life! The Office stars reunited to take a selfie as they watched the Men’s Singles Final on Sept. 7.
Cardi B
The rapper celebrated her performance at Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves’ US Open After Party with a side of Chicken Fingers at Chez Margaux in New York City.
Bowen Yang
Live from New York, it’s the US Open! The SNL star raised a spritz to celebrate the women’s semi-finals from the Aperol suite.
Logan Paul & Nina Agdal
The newlyweds enjoyed the match on Sept. 7 from Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves’ US Open Suite.
Amaya Espinal
The Love Island winner waved to fans as she arrived at the Cadillac Suite inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sept. 4.
Emma Roberts
The American Horror Story actress was sporting a Ralph Lauren ensemble as she arrived at the US Open on Sept. 4.
Jeremy Allen White & Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Yes, chef! The stars of The Bear cheered on the players inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sept. 4.
Dylan Efron
The new Dancing With the Stars cast member visited the Aperol Spritz suite at the US Open wearing the cable knit sweater from the cocktail’s new Tennis Collection.
Brooke Williamson & Bobby Flay
The Top Chef winner and Food Network star packed on the PDA while watching the women’s singles semifinals on Sept. 4.
Alexandra Daddario
The White Lotus alum looked fab on the US Open blue carpet on Sept. 4.
Orlando Bloom
The actor was in attendance to watch the women’s singles semi-final matches on Sept. 4.
Laverne Cox
The actress posed for pics inside the Cadillac Suite at the US Open on Sept. 1.
Owen Wilson & Ben Stiller
The Zoolander co-stars caught up while courtside at the tournament on Sept. 2.
Issa Rae
The Insecure creator and actress swung by the blue carpet during her visit to the US Open on Sept. 2.
Abbott Elementary cast
School’s out! Chris Perfetti, Tyler James Williams, Quinta Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Lisa Ann Walter enjoy a field trip to the US Open on Aug. 30.
Brooks Nader
The Love Thy Nader star is spotted inside the Cadillac Suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Aug. 31.
Lindsay Lohan & Bader Shammas
The Freakier Friday star and her husband enjoyed watching the tennis from inside the Cadillac Suite.
Simone Ashley
The Bridgerton actress looked cozy in Polo Ralph Lauren bear sweater as she arrived at the US Open on Sept. 1.
Skyler Gisondo
The Righteous Gemstones star kicked back with a can of Heineken 0.0 from the stands on Aug. 29.
Steve Carell
Cheese! The Office alum kindly posed for a selfie with fans during the Carlos Alcaraz vs. Luciano Darderi match on Aug. 29.
Jeremy Allen White
The Bear star cooked up a smart casual look as he attended the tennis tournament on Labor Day.
Elizabeth Banks
The Hunger Games actress brings her finest tennis Labubu to the tournament on Aug. 31.
Katie Holmes
The Dawson’s Creek alum posed for a pic before taking her seat inside the Cadillac Suite.
Ciara & kids
The singer brought along her kids Future and Sienna to watch the tennis action on Sept. 1.
Anna Wintour & Rami Malek
The Vogue boss and Bohemian Rhapsody actor watch a men’s singles match together on Sept. 1.
Queen Latifah
The actress and rapper was having a ball watching the gameplay on Aug. 28.
Simone Biles
The record-breaking Olympic gymnast was in the crowd to watch Coco Gauff win her second round match on Aug. 28, and proved to be inspirational for her fellow American.
Andrew Scott
The Irish actor looked sharp in a light green ensemble as he sat courtside on Aug. 28.
Lin-Manuel Miranda & Jasmine Cephas Jones
The Hamilton creator reunited with his co-star to watch the world’s best tennis players take their shot at the US Open.
Jonathan van Ness
The Queer Eye star and podcast host brought a pop of color to the US Open on Aug. 28.
