"Was hoping Hingis would somehow give me the win": Venus Williams calls this moment from 1999 US Open her 'biggest mistake'

Saturday, 19 August 2023 at 23:30

Venus Williams posted a video on YouTube, offering words of encouragement to her fans to achieve their goals and mentioned her defeat against Martina Hingis at the 1999 US Open.

Williams spoke about her defeat in the semifinals of the 1999 US Open against the world No. 1 at the time, Martina Hingis, which she described as "the worst loss of her career."

In that tournament, the elder Williams sister was the third seed and reached the semifinals to face the Swiss player, the top favorite of the match.

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Hingis secured the victory with a score of 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, advancing to the final where she faced Serena Williams. Serena avenged her sister's defeat, winning the title with a score of 6-3, 7-6, and claiming her first Grand Slam.

Venus Williams addressed the errors that influenced her defeat:

"My biggest mistake in this match was hoping that Martina would miss and that somehow, she would give me the win. And what's the right thing to do? You gotta go for it, you gotta take it. You gotta do the work, you gotta do the right things," 7-time Grand Slam champion remarked.

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"When you do go for it and take it, if you're going for it the right way, you get it because you deserve it. So, unfortunately for me, she deserved it more, she was willing to go for it more than I was, and she took the win," she continued.

"It left me devastated. I was disappointed in myself, I knew that I could do better. but the good news is that Serena went on to win the final in one of the most amazing matches played to date. Incredible, really incredible what she achieved. And that showed me a lot, and I learned a lot," Williams added.

The former world No. 1 will be playing this week at the Cleveland Open, where she received a wild card and was drawn to face the young star Mirra Andreeva in the first round. Williams, at 43 years old, will be competing against a player 27 years her junior, as Andreeva is only 16 years old.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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