Venus Williams of the U.S. returns in the first round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Sloane Stephens of the U.S. at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Monday, May 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
PARIS— Venus Williams has been fined $3,000 by tournament organizers for not showing up at a news conference following her first-round exit at the French Open.
After the 15th-seeded Williams lost 7-6 (5), 6-1 to Sloane Stephens on Monday, she snubbed the media, instead issuing a short statement to the press.
It was Williams’ second opening defeat in three years at Roland Garros. At 34, the seven-time major champion was the oldest woman in the women’s draw this year in Paris.
It also was the fifth time in the last 13 Grand Slam tournaments she’s entered that Williams was eliminated in the first round.