Venus Williams has faced calls to retire from professional tennis after a dramatic first-round exit at the Australian Open, with critics arguing her wildcard entry denied a younger player a crucial opportunity.
A Crushing Defeat After a Strong Start
The seven-time Grand Slam champion, who at 45 became the oldest woman ever to compete in the Australian Open main draw, suffered a heartbreaking loss to Serbia's Olga Danilovic on Sunday night. Williams held a commanding 4-0 lead in the deciding third set but ultimately fell 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-4 to the 24-year-old.
Despite the defeat, an upbeat Williams told reporters she was proud of her performance. "I felt good. Also it's the biggest lead I've had since I've been back," she said. "I'm really proud of my effort today because I'm playing better with each match."
Wildcard Decision Sparks Heated Debate
The veteran American's presence in Melbourne, facilitated by a wildcard, ignited a fierce debate on social media. A significant number of fans accused Williams of being selfish for accepting a spot that could have gone to an emerging talent.
One critic wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "Selfish, she's taking the wildcard off someone who could really do with the exposure/money. She has had her time. Retire with dignity." Another added, "How about giving the sport a chance to see new talent. She is 3-16 in the last three years... the $150K she 'earned' would be meaningful to a younger player on the grind."
Some commentators even drew a contrast with the retirement of Roger Federer, suggesting the Swiss star had "the dignity not to take wildcards from 20yo players."
Danilovic's Epic Comeback and Williams' Graceful Exit
For the victorious Danilovic, ranked 69th in the world, the match was a monumental occasion. An emotional Danilovic pounded her chest after sealing her comeback against a legend. "These things don't happen every day and playing against Venus Williams is something I cannot take for granted," she said.
As Williams bowed out of the singles competition, she smiled graciously to an adoring crowd that had supported her throughout the gruelling contest. "I had to appreciate the crowd. They were right there with me. We deserved that moment together," Williams reflected.
Williams will now turn her attention to the women's doubles tournament, where she is partnering with Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova. Meanwhile, Danilovic progresses to face a formidable opponent in either world number three Coco Gauff or Kamilla Rakhimova.
