Venus Williams' inspiring run at the 2025 Citi DC Open ended Thursday. The legendary tennis player lost to No. 5 seed Magdalena Frech in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, in the round of 16. Frech will face No. 3 seed Elena Rybakina after defeating Williams in their first career head-to-head matchup.

Venus Williams wanted to send a message to herself and to others about coming back from a long layoff, about competing in a sport at age 45, about never giving up. And she did just that, becoming the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match in professional tennis.