US Open: Venus Williams Hints at Singles Future After Doubles Run Ends

Venus Williams' remarkable U.S. Open journey came to an end on Tuesday, as the 45-year-old bowed out in the women's doubles quarter-finals. Partnering Canadian Leylah Fernandez, Williams lost 6-1, 6-2 to Australian Open champions Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, bringing to a close a campaign that showcased her resilience and charisma across all three formats - singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

This year, the American has made headlines for her age-defying comeback, becoming the oldest WTA singles match winner since 2004. Her singles run ended with a hard-fought, three-set loss to 11th seed Karolina Muchova in the opening round, but her presence at Flushing Meadows was nothing short of captivating.

"It's tough to describe it in words, it's a privilege. She is a legend and I really enjoyed it," said Siniakova of facing Venus, who has won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles alongside her sister Serena. Townsend, 29, added: "Growing up watching Venus and Serena was an inspiration for me and my sister. We really wanted to be like them when we grew up, so it's an honour to share the court with her today."

Williams, playing her first major in two years after receiving a wildcard from the USTA, featured in all three formats at Flushing Meadows. Her quarter-final run in the doubles alongside Fernandez was halted in just 56 minutes on Louis Armstrong Stadium by top seeds Townsend and Siniakova, who have won two Grand Slam doubles titles together. Williams received a standing ovation as she left the court, with her opponents joining in the applause.

VENUS'S UPDATE ON HER FUTURE

Williams still believes she has a future in singles, even after her Grand Slam return ended with a doubles defeat. The seven-time major champion insisted she has no plans to focus solely on doubles and remains determined to sharpen her singles game after 16 months away from competition.

"I think out there Leylah and I, we kept telling each other to be the best singles player we could be," Williams said. "So our focus will always be singles. I'm not going to suddenly become a doubles player. I never did, I never will. It's the singles for me.

"I think after this tournament I can really see where I want to improve, what I can work on. I think that it's all great feedback. But also, I had a lot of chances to play a lot of matches here, which is what I would desperately need to get better.

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"I saw myself improving so much with every match I was playing. In a lot of ways, we just ran out of time. I wish I could have played better today for Leylah. I blame myself for a lot of it. I just wasn't there. I think with a few matches I could have been a stronger partner today.

"We played a great team. They have been playing together for years. They've had a lot of success. They just had a little bit more time to pull it all together than we did. We wish them luck."

Williams also confirmed she intends to play again this season. "I'm so thankful to the USTA for supporting me and my effort here. It would have not been possible without them and them believing in me to be out here.

"I think what I'm proudest of is it's not easy to come off the bench. It really isn't, and I have never had a lay-off that long. It brought new challenges that I wasn't ready for in so many ways."

At 45, Venus Williams continues to defy convention, reminding fans and rivals alike that her passion for singles remains undimmed - and her competitive journey is far from over.