Novak Djokovic put on one of his most impressive physical and tactical performances to win a 24th Grand Slam title

On Tuesday evening, Venus Williams made her 24th appearance at the US Open. For the seven-time major singles winner, her 100th career match in Queens ended almost as quickly as it began

Qualifier Greet Minnen handed the 43-year-old wild card her most lopsided defeat at Flushing Meadows in a 6-1, 6-0, 73-minute victory in Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Belgian attacked the two-time winner’s second serve, winning 17 of 20 points, while erasing all six break points she faced.

"My preparation was definitely minimal. But I don't think that it necessarily affected the bulk of my performance," Williams told press. "I think there are just shots where my footwork wasn't really there. A lot of backhands I missed where my feet just weren't there. That's normal when you don't spend a lot of time on the court.

"But I really have to give credit to her. It was just incredible, honestly."

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US Open Tennis

Minnen finished with 24 winners to 13 unforced errors to secure her first major main-draw win of the season. The 26-year-old achieved her best major showing here two years ago with a third-round performance, having entered the draw as a lucky loser that year.

Williams was seeking to win a match at her home major for the first time since 2019, adding to opening-round defeats in 2020 and 2022. She was bidding to reach 80 career wins at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

The previous fewest games Williams won in a US Open match: three, when her sister Serena Williams took their third-round encounter in 2018, 6-1, 6-2.

As for what's next for the future Hall of Famer? This exchange towards the end of her press conference sums it up:

Q. What would be the decisive factor when you choose what you do next?

WILLIAMS: "I wouldn't tell you, so... I don't know. I don't know why you're asking (smiling)."

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