Venus Williams came to Flushing Meadows looking for a run.

It turned into a requiem.

One of the all-time greats of American tennis, Williams has been playing at the U.S. Open for a quarter century and was still holding onto the dream of a fairy tale run.

But Greet Minnen’s 6-1, 6-1 win handed her another first-round exit – and at her age, it very well could be her last.

It was the most lopsided beating Williams has ever suffered in a record 24 trips to the U.S. Open, with celebrities like Jimmy Butler on hand trying to urge her on.

But betrayed by her breaking-down body over the past few years, it didn’t matter.

Three weeks ago she had a Top 20 win, but lost to a qualifier.

Williams — who pulled out of Cleveland with an injury — has suffered through up-and-downs and isn’t healthy.

But she’s also not ready to step away from the sport she loves.

Despite her sister Serena hanging up her racquet and making last year’s U.S. Open her swan song, Williams was still hanging on.

But at 43 years old, she is not just venerable but vulnerable, not having reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal since 2017.

She hasn’t gotten past the first round here since 2019.

Minnen has played largely below the WTA Tour level.

But the moment wasn’t too big for her; she quickly sensed that Williams wasn’t moving well.

The 26-year-old Belgian made the main draw after Williams’ original opponent, Paula Badosa, withdrew from the tournament on Saturday, forced out with a recurring back injury. 

She dispatched one of the icons of the sport, moving on to the second round to face Sachia Vickery, who beat Donna Vekic.