Venus Williams has lost 14 consecutive singles matches on the WTA Tour.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t won a singles match in over a year, but Williams continues to receive wild cards for the sport’s biggest events.
Williams was controversially given a wild card for this year’s US Open, where she will have an opportunity to snap her concerning losing streak.
Despite the ‘big three’ era ending, tennis is better now than it was 10 years ago – Prove me wrong!
Serena Williams’ coach, Rennae Stubbs, has now shared her thoughts on the wild card controversy and predicted when the 46-year-old may retire from tennis.
Rennae Stubbs doesn’t think it will be ‘much longer’ before Venus Williams retires
During the latest episode of ‘The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast‘, the Aussie said the following.
“I am going to let Venus [Williams] decide when she wants to retire, and I am going to let the tournaments decide when they don’t want to give her a wildcard. She still puts bums on seats, she still sells, and people love to see her play,” said Stubbs.
“Until the tournament decides that somebody else is more important to give a wild card to, that’s up to them.
“I am going to be really honest with you. I was on the tennis court with her earlier today practicing, and I have never seen someone out there who loves tennis so much. She is practicing for hours and hours.
“If you think she is just rocking up and playing and not putting the work in, you are sorely wrong. She was out there for almost three hours today.
“She is putting the effort in; she is working hard. I think we should appreciate her while we have her.
“I don’t think it’s going to be much longer.”
Stubbs also touched on the appeal of the Williams sisters playing doubles together after their Cincinnati Open appearance.
- Cincinnati Open 1R – Marta Kostyuk/Peyton Stearns defeated Venus Williams/Serena Williams, 6-2, 1-6, 10-8
“As far as I’m concerned, she is still hitting the ball unbelievably, and if the tournaments want to give it to her, you saw the people who came to watch her play and look at the doubles last week,” she said.
“The doubles had lines out the door, queuing to watch Venus and Serena play, and I had people writing to me asking why they were giving them the wildcards.
Venus Williams/Serena Williams vs Marta Kostyuk/Peyton Stearns – Match stats
| Stats | Venus Williams/Serena Williams | Marta Kostyuk/Peyton Stearns |
| Aces | 2 | 1 |
| Double faults | 4 | 4 |
| 1st Serve % | 63% | 55% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 72% | 74% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 47% | 50% |
| Break points | 2/7 | 2/5 |
“First of all, they almost won; they should have won in the end, there were lines out the door for them, and there was half a stadium watching [Alexander] Zverev.
“That’s all you need to know. It’s called supply and demand.”
Venus and Serena Williams will play doubles together again at the US Open, receiving a wild card into the main draw.
But only one of the sisters will play singles in New York.
Serena won’t play the singles event, although her sister will.
If she fails to return to winning ways, you’d have to wonder if there’s a way back for Venus in singles…
Venus Williams must win her first-round match at the US Open
Williams could play one of the best players in the world in the first round, but she could also play a qualifier, a lucky loser, or an unseeded pro.
Should she avoid any of the big hitters, Williams will need to give absolutely everything she has to reach the second round.
If she fails to do so, it will become almost impossible for tournaments to justify giving her any more singles wild cards.
No matter how likeable or legendary she is, no player who has lost 15 consecutive matches should deserve a wild card over a young up-and-coming prospect.
However, if she wins her next match, showing signs of life, perhaps there would be an argument to give her one or two more wild cards in the new year.
Williams will discover her first-round opponent when the draw is made on Thursday, August 27.
The main draw will then begin on Sunday, August 30.
