(‘s-Hertogenbosch) Venus Williams lost 3-6, 7-6 (7/3) 6-2 against the young Swiss Céline Naef (202nd) on the grass of the WTA 250 tournament in s’Hertogenbosch, in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands for his return to the courts on Tuesday.

Williams, soon to be 43 (she will be on Saturday), had not played since January and the Auckland tournament in Australia, where she suffered a hamstring injury.

The American, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, including five at Wimbledon, but fallen past No. 600 in the world rankings, easily won the first set by taking her opponent’s serve while leading 4 -3.

But leading 5-4 in the second set, serve to follow, Williams then experienced a fatal air pocket.

Céline Naef and just 17 years old, fell in the first round of Roland-Garros qualifying, took the opportunity to break her in turn, push her to the tiebreaker and equalize a set everywhere.

Serena’s big sister, who played her last game in September 2022 at the US Open, collapsed in the last set, saving a match point despite everything, before losing the encounter in 2 h 19 minutes, on a last game of expedited service from his opponent.

The Swiss will face in the next round the American Caty Mcnally (seeded N.8) victorious over her compatriot Katy Volynets 6-2, 6-1.