Venus Williams row erupts again at Madrid Open as Wimbledon winner hits back

Venus Williams, 45, lost her first-round match at the 2026 Madrid Open 6-2, 6-4 to Kaitlin Quevedo, continuing a winless run in singles that stretches back to the 2025 Cincinnati Masters. The seven-time Grand Slam champion had received a wildcard entry for the clay-court event. Former Wimbledon winner Rennae Stubbs publicly defended Williams following criticism from fans on social media over her repeated early exits.