Venus Williams was beaten in a three-set epic in her first round match at the Australian Open this year.
Williams is still competing at 45 years old, and the seven-time Grand Slam champion was searching for her first singles win at a major since 2021 at the Australian Open.
Despite leading her first round match 4-0 in the deciding set, Williams was beaten by Olga Danilovic in a heartbreaking defeat for the former world number one.
Williams was pleased with her level after being knocked out of the tournament, and now former top 30 player Steve Johnson has given his theory as to why she was unable to convert her lead.
Steve Johnson reacts to Venus Williams’ Australian Open defeat
Williams lost the last six consecutive games of the match against Danilovic, where she was beaten by a scoreline of 6(5)-7 6-3 6-4.
When discussing her exit from the Australian Open on the Nothing Major Podcast, the aforementioned Johnson suggested that nerves may have cost Williams.
“Good effort from Venus at 45 just to be in that position, we all wanted Venus to win because if she won she was going to play Coco Gauff but still a good effort from her,” began former Wimbledon semifinalist Sam Querrey.
Johnson responded, “Yeah, still a good effort for sure. I mean it’s crazy, she’s 45 years old and still battling, but I guess the nerves never really go away or maybe they get worse when you get older trying to close out matches, because you want to win so bad.
“But yeah I felt for her, I mean being up 4-0 in the third and losing, you know she wants to win like badly. She hasn’t won I believe since D.C. last summer, so it’s hard to close out the door and I just feel for her, because you never know how many chances she’s going to get. Yeah, total bummer to be up 4-0 and lose that 6-4, that’s heartbreaking.”
Williams also lost in the first round of the women’s doubles draw alongside Ekaterina Alexandrova.
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Where could Venus Williams play next?
Williams played just three tournaments in 2025, and as a result there have been a lot of questions about what could be next for the veteran.
When asked if she plans to play a more full schedule in 2026 in her press conference after losing to Danilovic, Williams did not give too much away.
“Yeah, I’ll think about what’s next for me,” responded Williams. “I have the doubles here, so my focus is that right now.”
What do you think about Naomi Osaka’s Australian Open outfit?
With Williams previously stating her preference to compete in America, there appears to be a strong possibility that she could return for the sunshine double.
Tournaments at Indian Wells and the Miami Open will take place in March.
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