Venus Williams exits Hobart International, sets record for oldest WTA match
Venus Williams, 45, was eliminated in the first round of the Hobart International on Tuesday, losing 6-4, 6-3 to Germany's Tatjana Maria, 38. The 87-minute match set a record for the highest combined age in a women's main draw match since the WTA Tour began in 1973. It marks Williams' second successive first-round exit after also losing early at last week's Auckland Classic. The seven-time Grand Slam champion saved six of nine break points but couldn't overcome windy conditions or Maria's momentum. Maria, who became the oldest WTA singles champion since Serena Williams in 2020 when she won Queen's Club last year, advances to face Hungary's Anna Bondar in the last 16. She called facing Williams "an honour" and noted her children are fans of the American. Williams will now prepare for the Australian Open, where she received a wildcard for her first appearance in five years, making her the oldest woman to compete at this year's tournament starting Sunday. Meanwhile, former world number two Barbora Krejcikova of Czechia also lost in Hobart, falling 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4) to American Peyton Stearns despite requiring knee treatment during the match. Krejcikova, who missed last year's Australian Open with a back injury, ended last season early due to the knee issue. Stearns advances to face Olga Danilovic, who defeated defending champion McCartney Kessler.