Venus Williams' Singles Skid Reaches 19 Matches as Hong Kong Open Clash Looms
Venus Williams' struggles on the singles court continued this week, with the 46-year-old former world No. 1 now mired in a 19-match losing streak dating back to July 2025. Williams is set to face fellow American Mary Stoiana in the first round of the WTA Hong Kong Tennis Open on Monday, a match that pits her against one of the tour's most in-form players.
The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, currently ranked No. 599, has not won a singles match in over a year. Her latest defeat came last week at the Guangzhou Open, where she fell 6-2, 6-2 to 18-year-old Austrian Lilli Tagger in the first round. That loss extended a barren run that includes a first-round exit at the US Open in August, where she was beaten by Sofia Kenin.
Doubles Success Provides Rare Bright Spot
There was a brief flicker of encouragement in Guangzhou, where Williams partnered with Indonesia's Janice Tjen in the doubles draw. The pair reached the semifinals before falling 6-4, 6-7 (8), 10-6 to Polina Kudermetova and Maria Timofeeva. It marked Williams' first WTA Tour semifinal appearance—singles or doubles—since 2018 at Indian Wells, and her first doubles semifinal since the 2016 Rio Olympics and Wimbledon.
The doubles run offered a reminder of Williams' enduring competitive instincts, but it was not enough to mask the stark reality of her singles form. She accepted wild-card entries into both draws in Guangzhou and will likely rely on similar invitations as she attempts to rediscover her rhythm.
Context: A Legend's Long Farewell
Williams' current losing streak is the most extended of her career and raises inevitable questions about her future in the sport. The American, who turned professional in 1994, has won 49 WTA singles titles and spent 11 weeks at world No. 1. Her last Grand Slam singles title came at Wimbledon in 2008—the same year her upcoming opponent, Stoiana, was born.
Stoiana: The Rising American
On the other side of the net, Mary Stoiana enters the Hong Kong Open in the best form of her young career. The 113th-ranked American has won 47 matches across all levels this season, including a quarterfinal run as a qualifier in Osaka. She is chasing a Top 100 debut and has been widely tipped by pundits to advance comfortably.
Betting markets reflect the gap in current form. Stoiana is listed as a heavy favorite, with odds implying an 87.7% chance of victory. Williams, by contrast, is priced as a long shot at +450. Her 2026 record stands at 0-13 in singles, with a 4-26 set record—a statistic that underscores the difficulty she has faced in simply staying competitive.
A Daunting Matchup
Tennis analysts covering the Hong Kong Open have been blunt in their assessments. Last Word On Tennis predicted a straight-sets win for Stoiana, noting that "at some point, it feels like Venus Williams' losing streak will end," but adding that there are "few encouraging signs" from the veteran's recent performances. The first-round match is scheduled as part of Day 1 action at the WTA Hong Kong Tennis Open, with Williams headlining the session.
Perspective: What This Means for Williams and the Tour
Williams' predicament is not unique among aging champions, but the severity of her slide is striking. Her last singles victory came in July 2025, and she has not won a tour-level match since. The wild-card entries that have facilitated her recent appearances are a courtesy extended to a player of her stature, but they also place her in uncomfortable positions against younger, hungrier opponents.
For Stoiana, the match represents an opportunity to claim a high-profile scalp and continue her upward trajectory. A victory over a player of Williams' pedigree—however diminished—would be a notable footnote in a breakthrough season.
The Bigger Picture
Williams' persistence on the doubles court, where she remains competitive, suggests that her love for the game endures even as her singles results falter. Whether she chooses to extend her career beyond this latest setback remains an open question. For now, the tennis world watches a legend in the twilight of her journey, hoping for one more moment of brilliance—even as the odds stack against it.
As the WTA season enters its penultimate week in Hong Kong, the contrast between Williams' storied past and Stoiana's promising future will be on full display. It is a matchup that encapsulates tennis' relentless cycle of renewal, and one that Williams will contest with the same determination that has defined her career.
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