Former world number one Venus Williams saw her difficult run continue at the Madrid Open, falling 6-2, 6-4 to rising Spanish player Kaitlin Quevedo.

At 45, Williams has now lost 10 consecutive singles matches, becoming the first former world number one to do so  since official rankings began in 1975. Her last victory came in July at the Washington Open, where she defeated fellow American Peyton Stearns.

Despite the recent struggles, Williams’ legacy remains firmly intact. She captured five Wimbledon titles between 2000 and 2008 and added two US Open crowns, building a career that has spanned decades. She also holds the record for the most Grand Slam appearances, with this year’s Australian Open becoming her 95th.

In Madrid, the spotlight shifted to Quevedo, a 20-year -old ranked 140th in the world and playing in her first WTA 1000 event. After dropping behind early in the second set, she rallied from 3-0 down to close out the match against the 2010 finalist.

While Williams continues to chase another win, her impact on the sport remains unquestioned, even as a new generation begins to rise.