The tennis icon was moved after reflecting on her journey
VENUS WILLIAMS fought back tears in an emotional press conference after being knocked out of the US Open.
The legendary 45-year-old looked in incredible form and shape despite a first-round defeat on Monday night.
She was at her explosive best despite a 3-6, 6-2, 1-6 defeat to Czech No11 seed Karolina Muchova.
Seven-time Grand Slam winner Williams has now been tipped to continue her iconic trophy-laden career.
She also played at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington and the Cincinnati Open this year.
Her return to the court came after 16 months out.
And Williams was visibly moved after her exit on Arthur Ashe at Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York.
She was reflecting on her journey back to her home Grand Slam.
“What did I prove to myself?,” a teary two-time US Open champion said afterwards.
“I think for me getting back on the court was about giving myself a chance to play more healthy.
“When you play unhealthy, it’s in your mind. It’s not just how you feel.
“You get stuck in your mind too. It was nice to be freer.”
Williams has suffered from Sjogren’s syndrome for more than a decade.
It is an energy-draining auto-immune disease that can cause pain in the joints.
And the veteran has insisted she does not want to travel too far away from the United States if she does carry on her career.
“Are there any tournaments in the States? Can someone move a tournament here?,” she added.
