WASHINGTON 鈥 After Venus Williams鈥 four-matches-in-four-days return to professional tennis was over, after she was loudly feted by appreciative fans even after a loss in singles, the D.C. Open stadium announcer offered a thought: 鈥淲e鈥檙e never going to say goodbye to Venus Williams, are we?鈥 he said.
Not yet, anyway.

Venus Williams waves to the crowd after she lost to Magdalena Frech, of Poland, during a match at the Citi Open tennis tournament, July 24, in Washington.
This was not a one-stop hello-and-farewell appearance for the 45-year-old Williams, who had been away from the tour for 16 months before showing up in Washington this week and winning once each in singles and doubles. She hadn鈥檛 won a match since 2023, and the owner of seven Grand Slam singles titles, plus 14 in women鈥檚 doubles with her sister Serena and another two in mixed doubles, was celebrated by the spectators and other players.
鈥淚鈥檓 sorry to have (fallen) short,鈥 Williams said after being eliminated by 24th-ranked Magdalena Frech 6-2, 6-2 on Thursday night, 鈥渂ut I know I can play better. And I know I will play better.鈥
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Yes, there will be more: Williams next heads to the Cincinnati Open in August. That鈥檚 certain.
And she also might very well be competing at the U.S. Open later next month, if the U.S. Tennis Association awards her a wild-card entry. The USTA already announced that Williams asked for an invitation to play with Reilly Opelka in the tournament鈥檚 newfangled mixed doubles event.
Williams made quite obvious that the whole experience in Washington was fun for her.

Venus Williams waves to the crowd as she leaves the court after she lost to Magdalena Frech, of Poland, during a match at the Citi Open tennis tournament, July 24, in Washington
She loves the challenge. She loves playing tennis. Plus, what鈥檚 not to like about so much adulation from so many?
鈥淓verything is about her (at) this tournament. All the media, all the fans 鈥 everyone is for her,鈥 Frech said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 a superstar. She鈥檚 a legend here.鈥
There鈥檚 more to it, though. Because Williams also made clear that this is not merely about having a good time. She wants to win, too.
鈥淭here鈥檚 so many learnings from here. I know exactly what I need to work on, where I can improve. The good news is I鈥檓 always in control of the point. The important part is to put the ball in,鈥 Williams said with a smile. 鈥淪o this is one thing I didn鈥檛 do today. Was I in control? Absolutely. Will I be in control of most of my matches? Most likely, yes. That鈥檚 the place I want to be, so I鈥檓 putting myself in that position. That鈥檚 what counts.鈥
Williams still can hammer a serve, as the series of aces she delivered at more than 110 mph during her straight-set victory Tuesday against 35th-ranked Peyton Stearns showed.
Still can pound forehands and backhands, too.

Venus Williams lunges for the ball during a match against Magdalena Frech, of Poland, at the Citi Open tennis tournament, July 24, in Washington.
As Stearns put it: 鈥淪he played some ball tonight.鈥
At the end of her final news conference in Washington, Williams spoke about her takeaways from the matches she played and the work she put in to make them possible after needing to stay off the court last year because of surgery for uterine fibroids.
Her answer sounded a bit like a warning to other players out there who will face her.
鈥淚鈥檒l reflect on this match and the things I could have done better. I鈥檒l reflect on my preparation going into the matches to make sure I鈥檓 prime and ready. Those are the kind of things. But more than anything, I take a lot of information from this tournament. So much data,鈥 Williams said. 鈥淟ike, I can鈥檛 wait to get on the practice court. My coach and I were already talking about what we鈥檙e going to work on and also how much better I got so quickly in these last few weeks, too, was kind of like straight up a mountain.鈥
Then she paused and added: 鈥淪o we have made so much progress, and I expect that there will be more.鈥