US Open: Venus Williams and Naomi Osaka suffer first-round defeats

Venus Williams kept her thoughts on her tennis future to herself after losing in the opening round of the US Open.

The 42-year-old is now ranked down at 1,504 and has won only one match since the Australian Open in January 2021, but she declined to say whether she will be following sister Serena into retirement after this tournament.

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Broadcasters had been informed there would be a ceremony on court after Venus' match against Belgium's Alison Van Uytvanck but, after losing 6-1 7-6 (5), the American swiftly picked up her bag and headed off Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Asked about her future afterwards, the six-time grand slam singles champion said: "Right now I'm just focused on the doubles."

The sisters will play doubles together at a grand slam for the first time since 2018 as Serena makes the most of her farewell event.

Together they have won 14 slam titles, winning every final they have contested, and Venus said she is looking forward to pairing up with her sister once again.

"It was Serena's idea," she said.

"She's the boss, so I do whatever she tells me to do.

"We have had some great wins. It would be nice to add some more."

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Serena was honoured before and after her first-round victory over Danka Kovinic on Monday night amid an electric atmosphere.

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"I definitely watched it," said Williams.

"I wanted to be there, but I had obviously an early start today.

"It's never easy the first round. Definitely was an exciting evening. Obviously my hope is that there is more ahead for her at this tournament.

"We're a huge influence on each other, and I'm a huge influence on her.

"For me, I just kind of felt like my role is to make sure I don't influence her in any way, and that this decision needs to be all hers and her family's. The newest part of the family.

"I think she's had some time to process it, and she's doing it the way she wants to. That's what matters most is to do things on her own terms."

The day ended with the match-up of the first round between four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka and 19th seed and Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins.

Osaka has struggled for form and fitness this year and this was another low point as she lost in the first round for the first time in New York, going down 7-6 (5) 6-3.

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