Venus Williams considers French Open return after Madrid Open clay-court defeat

Veteran tennis star Venus Williams has hinted at a possible return to the clay courts of French Open after her early exit at the Madrid Open.

The 45-year-old, playing her first Madrid match in five years, suffered a 6-2, 6-4 defeat to Spain's rising talent Kaitlin Quevedo, extending her singles losing streak to 10 matches.

Clay Season Back on the Radar

Despite the loss, Williams struck a positive note about returning to clay - a surface she hasn't played regularly in recent years.

"Yeah, I mean, to get my feet dirty, this was a great start," Williams said after the match. "We would love to keep it going on the clay."

However, she confirmed she will miss the Italian Open in Rome due to prior commitments, making Roland Garros her next possible stop.

Clay, she admitted, requires time to readjust.

"All these things take adjustments. I haven't really played on clay in years, but I enjoy it. It's fun."

Struggles Continue for the Seven-Time Grand Slam Champion

Williams' defeat in Madrid adds to a difficult run in 2026. She has now suffered early exits in Auckland, Hobart, the Australian Open, Austin, Indian Wells, Miami, and now Madrid.

Her last tour-level win came in July 2025, when she defeated Peyton Stearns in Washington. Since then, results have been hard to come by, highlighting the challenge of competing consistently on tour at this stage of her career.

Her last appearance on clay prior to Madrid was at the 2021 French Open, where she exited in the opening round.

Quevedo's Breakthrough Moment

While the spotlight remained on Williams, the match marked a major milestone for 20-year-old Kaitlin Quevedo.

The Spaniard secured:

• Her first WTA 1000 main-draw win
• Only her second tour-level victory
• Became the youngest Spanish player to win a main-draw match at the Madrid Open

"I was so surprised... it was a privilege to play against such a legend," Quevedo said after the match.

A Contrast of Generations

The Madrid clash symbolised a transition moment in women's tennis - a legend of the game testing her limits on a challenging surface, and a young player seizing her opportunity on home soil.

For Williams, the focus now shifts to whether she can extend her clay campaign to Roland Garros. While results have been tough, her intent to compete - and adapt - remains unchanged.

For Quevedo, the win could mark the beginning of a breakthrough run.

What Next for Venus?

Williams has not confirmed her full schedule, but all signs point towards a potential appearance at Roland Garros - which would mark her return to the tournament after several years.

Even amid a difficult run, her willingness to return to clay and compete at the highest level underlines her enduring commitment to the sport.