Venus Williams suffered the same fate on her singles return at the Citi Open as sister Serena Williams did at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, after losing in the first round against a comparatively lesser-known player.This was the first singles match for seven-time Grand Slam champion Williams since she lost to Hsieh Su-wei at the Chicago Open last August. Although the American legend took the first set, she failed to close out the match, courtesy of 13 painful double faults. Canada's Rebecca Marino put up an extraordinary fight as she won five consecutive games in the third set after trailing 4-1 to win the match 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in one hour and 52 minutes.Fans from around the world were excited to see the 42-year-old Williams return. The American received mixed reactions after her first-round exit, with the majority standing beside her in support."I’ll never regret an opportunity to watch Venus Williams compete. Some of those rallies were breathtaking," a fan tweeted.Matthew.@MFallingStar18I’ll never regret an opportunity to watch Venus Williams compete. Some of those rallies were breathtaking 🥹14I’ll never regret an opportunity to watch Venus Williams compete. Some of those rallies were breathtaking 🥹"Proud of the fight @Venuseswilliams. I don’t regret watching a single second of it! You bring me joy watching you play tennis," another user posted.Venus Williams Fandom@QueenVee_FandomProud of the fight @Venuseswilliams I don’t regret watching a single second of it ! You bring me joy watching you play tennis434Proud of the fight @Venuseswilliams I don’t regret watching a single second of it ! You bring me joy watching you play tennisOne fan questioned the wildcard distribution process and suggested that instead of legends, wildcard entries should be given to new and unknown players."I think they really need to look into the wildcard eligibility process. On one hand, legends like Venus and Murray deserve it but now I wonder if a young player has received them, then it could be a career changing moment. Maybe they win a round or 2 and things take off," they wrote.Vansh@Vanshagar24@josemorgado I think they really need to look into the wildcard eligibility process. On one hand legends like Venus and Murray deserve it but now I wonder if a young player has received them then it could be a career changing moment. Maybe they win a round or 2 and things take off #CitiOpen5@josemorgado I think they really need to look into the wildcard eligibility process. On one hand legends like Venus and Murray deserve it but now I wonder if a young player has received them then it could be a career changing moment. Maybe they win a round or 2 and things take off #CitiOpenHere are some of the other reactions:the.a.league@naijagal88@LbrBasile @josemorgado Absolutely. 13 DFs Is a recipe for disaster.9@LbrBasile @josemorgado Absolutely. 13 DFs Is a recipe for disaster.Bence@hBenceeNot the result we wanted but it’s a privilege watching Venus play. Keep up the good health and onto the next one! See y’all in Toronto @EricHechtman @Venuseswilliams593Not the result we wanted but it’s a privilege watching Venus play. Keep up the good health and onto the next one! See y’all in Toronto @EricHechtman @Venuseswilliams https://t.co/OmEBpofE4wDavid (Call me 'D') 🌻🐘Let's go The Champ Serena@gladdingVenus Ebony Williams you may have lost but only positives moving forward It was a brilliant match and full respect to Rebecca Marino who played well and showed full respect at the end to Venus Good luck @Venuseswilliams #CitiOpen #VenusWilliams61Venus Ebony 🌟 Williams you may have lost but only positives moving forward 💯🎊It was a brilliant match and full respect to Rebecca Marino who played well and showed full respect at the end to Venus Good luck @Venuseswilliams 🙏#CitiOpen #VenusWilliams https://t.co/GSkXHHnKs5ULTM8SerenaWilliamsf@ultm8swfans@TennisChannel @CitiOpen @beccamarino90 Not sure if #Venus got tired or got nervous, probably both, but that was definitely a winnable match. She basically donated it to #Marino. Frustrating end #CitiOpen11@TennisChannel @CitiOpen @beccamarino90 Not sure if #Venus got tired or got nervous, probably both, but that was definitely a winnable match. She basically donated it to #Marino. Frustrating end 😐 #CitiOpenPrincess Against Education@likethemovie19Some really nice flashes of brilliance for your first match back! Keep it up, @Venuseswilliams 41Some really nice flashes of brilliance for your first match back! Keep it up, @Venuseswilliams 😊💜Luke Basile@LbrBasile@josemorgado Ultimately the serve let her down. Way too many free points.5@josemorgado Ultimately the serve let her down. Way too many free points.Steven@StevenARamosIm mad as hell here She played beautifuly in many pqrts of this match. I have faith! twitter.com/josemorgado/st…José Morgado@josemorgadoRebecca Marino comes back from 1-4 down in the 3rd to beat Venus Williams 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in DC.The 42yo, playing her first singles match of the year, showed a lot of good things but didn't take her chances in the decider (also a break point at 4-3...)314Rebecca Marino comes back from 1-4 down in the 3rd to beat Venus Williams 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in DC.The 42yo, playing her first singles match of the year, showed a lot of good things but didn't take her chances in the decider (also a break point at 4-3...)Im mad as hell here 😭😭She played beautifuly in many pqrts of this match. I have faith! twitter.com/josemorgado/st…Hugh Beasley@Hugh__BeasleyWhen you consider that this is her first singles match in almost a year that’s an incredible opening set from Venus Williams! #CitiOpen2When you consider that this is her first singles match in almost a year that’s an incredible opening set from Venus Williams! 👑 #CitiOpenbennet@Vee16QueenNo, I really like this gesture! Always nice to see to ppl show respect to their opponents post matchI think Marino is quite likeable to me! twitter.com/tennis_now/sta…TennisNow@Tennis_NowRebecca Marino doing the classy thing and clapping for Venus Williams after she edged out the American in three sets. Venus had a lead in the third but could not finish it off.2613Rebecca Marino doing the classy thing and clapping for Venus Williams after she edged out the American in three sets. Venus had a lead in the third but could not finish it off. https://t.co/KBI21kDUmqNo, I really like this gesture! Always nice to see to ppl show respect to their opponents post match❤️I think Marino is quite likeable to me! twitter.com/tennis_now/sta…Omy Bows@rockofreeman3d@josemorgado Time to retire the clock ran out of time Venus and Serena are trash right now compared to today's standards the seem slow and out and with no hunger for winning anymore6@josemorgado Time to retire the clock ran out of time Venus and Serena are trash right now compared to today's standards the seem slow and out and with no hunger for winning anymoremichael epps@michael_epps@josemorgado It’s always best to leave on top. Staying too long is never pretty.2@josemorgado It’s always best to leave on top. Staying too long is never pretty."Just a little rusty" - Venus WilliamsVenus Williams will next play at the Canadian OpenWildcard entrant Venus Williams' comeback was cut short by qualifier Rebecca Marino, who converted four out of five break point chances. Inspired by Serena Williams, the American played mixed doubles with Jamie Murray at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships last month, where they lost in the second round.In a press conference after Monday's match, Williams hinted at a lack of match practice, stating that she just needed to play another tournament."It's my first match. I didn't think I played well a lot of the times. Just a little rusty. I really put myself in good positions in the third set, too. Just trying to shake off some rust. That's just to be expected. All I can do is just play another tournament and play better. It was so much fun to play in D.C. It was nice to have the crowd behind me. Haven't played a singles match in a year, so definitely a great experience," Venus Williams said.