NEW YORK (AP) — It’s a given that much of the coverage and attention devoted to Venus Williams’ return to the U.S. Open, where play begins Sunday, has focused — and will focus — on how old she is. The American is, after all, 45, an age at which no one has competed in singles in New York since 1981.

Venus Williams will be the first 45-year-old to compete at the US Open since 1981 when she faces Karolina Muchova on Monday.

Naomi Osaka loves seeing Venus Williams in the women's singles tournament at the 2025 U.S. Open. "It's just really, I would say, inspiring," Osaka said, per the Associated Press' Howard Fendrich. "My only thing is: I don't really like how every headline mentions her age.