Overview

• Williams lost 3-6, 6-2, 1-6 to No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova in a two-hour first-round match in New York.
• She was greeted with a warm reception and standing ovations as she left Arthur Ashe Stadium.
• According to the sport’s governing body, she is the oldest singles entrant at this US Open since Renee Richards in 1981.
• Her return comes a year after a uterine operation she says followed years of misdiagnosis and severe anemia, and she grew emotional discussing the chance to compete in good health.
• She said she is unsure about traveling for events outside the United States and retains a mixed-doubles wildcard with Reilly Opelka.