RIO DE JANEIRO, (Reuters) – Venus Williams’ record-equalling fifth Olympic tennis medal was silver rather than gold as she and partner Rajeev Ram lost an all-American mixed doubles final to Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jack Sock yesterday.
Williams, who teamed up with Ram at short notice for the tournament, looked on course for a fifth gold when taking the first set but eventually lost 6-7(3) 6-1 10-7. She has also won the women’s doubles three times with sister Serena as well as a singles gold.
The 36-year-old matches the Olympic tennis medal tally of Britain’s Kitty Godfree from the 1920s but fell short of becoming the first tennis player to win five golds.