Rio 2016: Venus Williams misses record fifth gold

Venus Williams missed out on becoming the first tennis player to win five Olympic gold medals when she and partner Rajeev Ram were defeated in the Rio mixed doubles final on Sunday

Rio de Janeiro: Venus Williams missed out on becoming the first tennis player to win five Olympic gold medals when she and partner Rajeev Ram were defeated in the Rio mixed doubles final on Sunday.

Venus Williams and Rajeev Ram during the mixed doubles final against Bethanie Mattek-Sands & Jack Sock. Pic/AFP

Fellow Americans Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jack Sock downed Williams and Ram 6-7 (3/7), 6-1, 10-7 to grab the gold.

Venus won singles gold at Sydney in 2000 and doubles titles with sister Serena in 2000, 2008 and 2012. She and 32-year-old Ram had never played together before Rio.

"You always go into a match trying to win it and you never know if you are going to be able to cross that line," said 36-year-old Venus who had to be content with a record-equalling fifth medal in total.

"So I really feel just excited that we played really well the whole tournament. I'm excited that we had chances and put ourselves in a position to win that match and you can't ask for more."

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