Venus Williams returned to the US Open for the first time in two years on Monday night and treated the capacity crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium to a throwback evening.

Playing as a wildcard, the 45-year-old tennis legend took a set from the No. 13 player in the world before bowing out in three sets to two-time US Open semifinalist Karolina Muchova, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1.

She was the oldest woman in the singles draw since Renee Richards in 1981.

Asked what she proved to herself with the performance, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion paused and said:

“What did I prove to myself? I think for me getting back on the court was about giving myself a chance to play more healthy,” Williams said.

“When you play unhealthy, it’s in your mind. It’s not just how you feel. You get stuck in your mind

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