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Williams loses again – to opponent 28 years younger
Venus Williams lost 6-2 6-2 to 18-year-old Lilli Tagger at the Guangzhou Open, extending her losing run to 16 singles matches. The defeat, against an opponent 28 years younger, has renewed debate over whether Williams should continue receiving tournament wildcards.
Williams, 46, is ranked 599th and has not won a match since July 2025; she has lost all 13 of her singles matches in 2026. Tagger, ranked 53rd and the 2025 French Open girls’ champion, dropped only seven service points and faced no break points, while Williams saved 12 of 16 break points. Organisers cite Williams’s appeal to fans, who gave her a warm ovation, while critics say wildcards could go to younger players.
In short
- Williams’s losing streak reached 16 matches.
- Tagger, 28 years younger, won 6-2 6-2.
- The defeat reignites debate over Williams’s wildcards.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Williams’s record and experience do not erase her value to a tournament: her popularity draws attention and gives fans a chance to see a celebrated player compete. Wildcards allow organisers to weigh those broader benefits alongside rankings, and can recognise a career whose contribution to the sport extends beyond current results.
The case against
Wildcards are limited opportunities, and giving them to a player on a 16-match losing run can mean fewer chances for rising players who might use them to build experience and improve their rankings. A policy that prioritises current form and competitive prospects could make access seem fairer and strengthen the tournament’s sporting value.
Explained simply
Venus Williams is an American tennis player who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles and was once among the leading players in the sport. At 46, she is continuing to compete on the professional circuit, where players’ rankings are based on their results in tournaments.
Tournament organisers can give wildcards to players who have not qualified through their ranking. These places can help established players enter events, and organisers may consider their popularity with fans; they can also provide opportunities for younger players rising through the rankings. The debate over Williams’s wildcards reflects these competing considerations.