‘Venus regrets playing with me’

HAILEY BAPTISTE joked that Venus Williams regretted playing with her while reflecting on her recent doubles run with the tennis icon.

Baptiste, 23, partnered up with Williams in what was the 45-year-old’s return to action following a 16-month lay-off.

The pair defeated Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue before narrowly falling to No2 seeds Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai.

Baptiste and Williams’ matches attracted huge crowds, with even NBA superstar Kevin Durant pulling up to watch.

Ahead of the US Open, Baptiste caught up with pal Frances Tiafoe over coffee.

The pair have plenty in common, having both honed their talents at the Junior Tennis Champions Center at Maryland Park as kids.

During their conversation, posted on the ATP’s social media channels, Baptiste reflected on the surreal experience of playing with American icon Williams.

The world No51 said: ‘‘It was insane. From the moment I heard that we were going to play and it was set up, I was like, that’s all I can think about. I’m about to play with a legend.’’

When Tiafoe, whose twin brother Franklin coaches Baptiste, pointed out the nerves that come with playing alongside such an illustrious partner, she added: ‘‘Every ball I miss I’m like ‘she regrets playing with me’.’’

As Tiafoe howled with laughter, Baptiste went on: ‘‘She’s like ‘I’m wasting my time’. I was obviously crazy nervous. Venus and Serena are obviously the people I looked up to my entire life.

‘‘They pack arenas bro, standing room only. Walking onto court that day, on our first match. The noise, I never . . .

‘‘Especially for doubles, we’re talking about doubles. That was at Citi Open, it could have been Ashe the way people sounded, it was nuts.’’

Asked about Durant’s attendance, Baptiste admitted: ‘‘I was so locked in on Venus, like I can’t even think about KD.

‘‘I heard it, like I heard people start screaming, ‘KD, KD’. He was into it though, clapping and everything. I was so focused on Venus.’’

Williams stunned Peyton Stearns in the singles even at the Citi Open, beating the world No35 6-3 6-4 in front of a raucous crowd.

The tour veteran has been awarded a wildcard for the upcoming US Open — 28 years on from reaching the final on her debut back in 1997.

Williams is also set to take part in next week’s glitzy revamped mixed doubles event.

The legendary tennis icon will partner fellow American Reilly Opelka. — Sun