Venus Williams falls at US Open, Jie Zheng wins 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5) to move on

At 33 years old and battling various ailments, the question is again valid for Venus Williams: was this the last time we’ll see her at the US Open?

Venus Williams vowed to continue her singles career on the heels of another disappointing defeat at a Grand Slam, but turned emotional and reflective when asked if her failing body is up to the challenge.

“I've had a tough set of circumstances to work through, too, especially this year, last year, and the year before,” Williams said Tuesday. “I've been dealt some cards that aren't as easy to deal with, but I have to play with them. The last few months haven't been easy, coming back from the back injury, one of the more challenging injuries I've dealt with.

“I feel like it's definitely affected my game, but I'm working on it. I'm a fighter. …I'll continue playing matches.”

Williams certainly fought Wednesday, overcoming deficits and rain delays and a smaller Chinese opponent who rebuffed the smashing serves and powerful forehands. Williams appeared gassed in the humidity, as her brief run at Flushing ended after a three-hour marathon, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), against feisty Jie Zheng.

At 33 years old and battling various ailments, the question is again valid for Venus Williams: was this her last singles match at the US Open?

“I definitely want to come back for the atmosphere,” she said. “I mean, next year's Open is so far away right now.”

“If I didn't think I had anything in the tank, I wouldn't be here,” she added. “So I feel like I do, and that's why I'm here.”

Williams has failed to advance past the third round of a Grand Slam in over two years. She has fought through a back injury and Sjogren’s syndrome, contributing to five-year Grand Slam drought and a fall to No. 60 in the world. The two-time Open champion last captured the Flushing title 12 years ago.

Her durability has been an issue, considering she’s lost four consecutive three-set matches. Tuesday night represented a rollercoaster against a tireless opponent, 30-year-old Zheng, nicknamed “The Great Wall of China” because of her ability to keep the ball in play.

“Not much to say about that really,” Williams said. “I tried my best.”

The match, originally scheduled to start at 1 p.m., was delayed by rain for about four hours and didn’t finish until 8:30. It tied the fifth-longest female match ever at the US Open, and it turned, finally, on a gimme shot that Venus hit weakly into the net.

Her unforced error gave Zhieng a 6-5 advantage in the tiebreaker. Another error on match point sealed Williams’ fate. She finished with 44 unforced errors, a stark contrast to her first-round demolition of 12th-seeded Kirsten Flipkens just two days prior.

“I should have made the shot (up at the net, tied 5-5 in the tiebreaker),” Williams said. “I think I was just rushing. I rushed so badly. I just didn't make the shot.”

After missing the big shot, Williams has a big question to answer regarding her future. She continues to insist she’s not done – although Williams was hardly adamant.

“Everybody has their own idea when they're ready,” she said. “That's all I can say about that.”