HOBART, Australia
Venus Williams’ preparations for the Australian Open suffered another setback Tuesday with a first-round loss at the Hobart International, falling 6-4, 6-3 to Germany’s Tatjana Maria.
The 45-year-old Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion now ranked 576th, was unable to convert an early service break against the 38-year-old Maria, who is ranked 42nd.
Williams dropped serve twice to concede the opening set in a match that, at nearly 90 minutes, featured the highest combined age (83 years) for a WTA singles match in history.
It was Williams’ second consecutive first-round exit in a tune-up event, following a loss last week in Auckland. She has received wild-card entries for both tournaments and for the upcoming Australian Open.
“I was in control until I wasn’t,” Williams said. “I just need to keep going … and earn my stripes. I’ve been away a while.”
Maria, a mother of two who has won three titles since returning to the tour, hoped their match sent a positive message. “We are still here,” she said, “and we can still play great tennis.”
By James Kisoo
