Channels Television Updated May 12, 2021 US Serena Williams reacts after losing to Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska during their match of the Women’s Italian Open at Foro Italico on May 12, 2021 in Rome. Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP
Serena Williams, playing the 1000th WTA match of her career, lost on her return after nearly three months away to Nadia Podoroska in the second round of the WTA Italian Open on Wednesday. The 39-year-old eighth seed fell 7-6 (8/6), 7-5 in under just two hours to the 44th-ranked Argentine, a surprise semi-finalist at last year’s Roland Garros. Williams, a four-time Rome winner and 23-time Grand Slam champion had not played since her semi-final defeat in the Australian Open this year.