Venus Williams loses 16th straight match to 18-year-old

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 16:08 · Archive

Former world number one Venus Williams, 46, lost to 18-year-old Lilli Tagger 6-2 6-2 at the Guangzhou Open.

Venus Williams lost to 18-year-old Lilli Tagger 6-2 6-2 at the Guangzhou Open on Tuesday, extending her losing streak to 16 consecutive singles matches. The defeat also marks Williams' 13th loss of 2026, with the seven-time Grand Slam champion having won no singles matches this year. Now ranked 599th in the world, Williams has not won since the DC Open in July 2025.

The 46-year-old American, a former world number one, is playing on wildcards granted by tournament organisers. The age gap between Williams and Tagger—28 years—is the largest in a WTA match this decade and among the largest in tour-level history. Tagger's coach Francesca Schiavone, an Italian former world number four, is the same age as Williams and lost all eight meetings with her during their playing careers.

Tagger, ranked 53rd in the world, said she was 'super excited and a bit nervous' to face Williams. The teenager's invitation to play reflects the commercial value tournaments see in featuring an all-time great, though debate continues within the sport over whether Williams deserves wildcards that might otherwise go to younger players developing their careers. Fans in Guangzhou gave Williams a sizeable ovation as she left the court.

How it is being reported

• Venus Williams beaten by opponent 28-years younger and has lost every singles match this year since making comebackTennis icon Venus Williams continued her losing streak in 2026 after falling in the Guangzhou Open on Tuesday.Daily Mail Sport · 27 Oct, 15:58
• Williams loses again - to opponent 28 years youngerFormer world number one Venus Williams, 46, loses for the 16th match in a row as she is beaten by an opponent 28 years younger.BBC Sport · 27 Oct, 13:40

In this story: Venus Williams · Lilli Tagger · Francesca Schiavone · Guangzhou Open · WTA Tour · Guangzhou

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