Williams loses again - to opponent 28 years younger
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Venus Williams has not won any of her 13 singles matches in 2026 Former world number one Venus Williams lost her 16th singles match in a row as she was beaten by an opponent 28 years younger at the Guangzhou Open.
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The 46-year-old American, who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, was beaten 6-2 6-2 by 18-year-old Lilli Tagger on Tuesday.
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It is the biggest age gap between opponents in a WTA match this decade and among the largest in tour-level history.
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Williams, ranked 599th in the world, has not won a match since July 2025 and relies on wildcards to play WTA tournaments.
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This latest defeat continues the debate over whether she deserves them.
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Some within the sport argue Williams is taking spots from younger players trying to develop their careers, but tournament organisers see the commercial value of inviting an all-time great.
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The Guangzhou fans clearly appreciated the chance to see the American superstar.
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A sizeable and enthusiastic crowd encouraged Williams and gave a huge ovation as she walked off court. Williams hasn't won for over a year - why does she get so many wildcards?
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Williams sisters exit US Open but excite - what does future hold?
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Williams won six of her Grand Slam singles titles - plus 30 WTA tournaments - before Austria's Tagger was born in February 2008.
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Tagger's coach Francesca Schiavone - the Italian former world number four who won the 2010 French Open - is the same age as Williams, and lost all eight meetings with the American during her playing career.
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"When I saw the draw I was super excited and a bit nervous - I respect her a lot," said Tagger, who is 53rd in the world.
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"It is funny she used to play with my coach.
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I would love to play at this age - I want to congratulate her." While the straight-set scoreline will embolden the critics, Williams did make Tagger - a rising talent who is predicted to have a bright future at the very top - work hard.
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However, the teenager proved far too good.
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The 2025 French Open girls' champion was superb on serve - dropping just seven service points and not facing a break point - while handling Williams' pace and crushing groundstrokes off both wings. Tagger broke her illustrious opponent's serve twice - for 1-0 and 5-2 leads - in two almost identical sets.
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At times, Williams was able to use her powerful serve to get out of trouble - fighting off 12 of 16 break points - and the veteran's trademark competitive spirit never wavered.
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But it was another example of how far behind the rest of the tour she now is.
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