Venus Williams urged to make retirement decision after crashing out of US Open aged 45

Veteran Venus Williams has been urged not to retire after the American superstar made a record 25th US Open appearance at the age of 45. The five-time Wimbledon champion turned back the clock to take a set off No.11 seed Karolina Muchova before losing 6-3 2-6 6-1.

It was her first Grand Slam appearance since the 2023 US Open - and only her fourth match in 16 months. But ESPN analyst Chris Evert said: "I was very impressed. She was very consistent. She extended the rallies and came into the net. She moved well and mentally you saw the fight in her eyes - the intensity was there, the passion was there.

"I was very encouraged by it. I hope she is too. I think she should continue to play in the Fall. I think she should be hungry as ever and slowly, with more matches, she will get to a higher level."

Serena Williams played her final tournament at the 2002 US Open aged 40. But Venus Williams, who underwent uterus surgery last year, teased: "I love playing. Are there any tournaments in the States? Can someone move a tournament here?

"I don't know that I'm willing to travel that far at this stage in my career to go play. I don't play in high altitude either, so I won't be going to Guadalajara."

The double US Open champion, playing on a wildcard, said she felt the love of the sold-out Arthur Ashe Stadium who wanted to see her create more history.

"I don't think I've ever had a crowd that much on my side," said the world No.582. 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.

"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, and that felt great."