"There were things I couldn't control": Constant injuries blamed by Venus Williams after commanding loss at US Open

Former world number one America’s Venus Williams has stated that she had a bit of bad luck while preparing for the US Open.

The 43-year-old suffered a first-round exit from the mega-event after losing to Belgium’s Greet Minnen in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-1.

While talking to the media after the result, Venus stated that some things were not in her control while preparing for the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year, such as injuries.

"Obviously preparation is always a fantastic thing to have in life, in general, especially as an athlete,” she said. “I definitely could have hoped for more throughout the year. Honestly, I just had some really bad luck. I don't think it was a lack of my body not holding up, it was just a lack of, like, really bad luck with injuries. There were things I couldn't control.

"I was really happy to be here. When I had to withdraw from Cleveland, I wasn't sure that I could be here. I have to really thank my doctors for helping me to get here. That in itself was a blessing. I really played some great shots, but she [Greet Minnen] had some incredible answers to that. I wish I could have been more prepared for that.”

It will be interesting to see whether Venus will return for another US Open next year when she will be 44.

The Lynwood-born has a fabulous career at the highest level where she has won six Grand Slam titles.

However, her last major triumph came way back in 2008 when she defeated her sister Serena Williams in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 6-4 to lift her fourth Wimbledon title.

Other than that, Venus has also two US Open titles to her name which she won back in the years 2000 and 2001.