Venus Williams is aiming to have fun in her return to professional tennis at the Citi Open in Washington later this week.
The 45-year-old hasn’t played on the Tour since March 2024 but has been given a wildcard into the WTA 500 event, which will feature Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro and Elena Rybakina. Williams, who is a former world No.1 and seven-time Grand Slam champion, hasn’t won a match on the Tour since the 2023 Cincinnati Open.
Despite her recent absence, unranked Williams insists that she is still the same player as before. Her opening match will be against fellow American Peyton Sterns.
“I definitely feel I’ll play well,” Williams told reporters on Sunday. “I’m still the same player. I’m a big hitter. I hit big. This is my brand.
“So it’s about hitting big and actually putting it in. So this will be my effort. Put it in the court. That’s my main goal.”
Regardless of how she fairs on the court, Williams’ main priority is to enjoy her time competing once again. During her career, she has won a total of 49 WTA titles between 1998 and 2016 in singles. She has also won 22 trophies in doubles, with 14 of those being at Grand Slams.
“My personal goal is to have fun I think right now and enjoy the moment, not put too much pressure on myself,” she said.
“I don’t know if I define success at this moment in any sort of way other than believing in myself and sticking to my process. That’s not easy to do, especially after a layoff. So those are my goals.”
Away from the court, there have been challenges for Williams, who experienced a health scare last year. She has suffered from fibroids, which are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb. In an interview earlier this month, she opened up about her experience with the issue and how doctors initially failed to link her symptoms to the condition.
“My health journey was very scary. You know, this time a year ago I was preparing to go to surgery,” she said.
“There was no way for me to play tennis or play the US Open… I was just trying to get healthy.
“In this last year, I have been through a lot physically, so to come back and be able to play and hopefully enjoy myself is a great opportunity.”
Although she is officially back in action, Williams is keeping quiet about her plans for the future. According to the WTA, there is currently no player older than her who has a singles ranking.
“I think I know what I want to do, but I don’t always want to talk about it,” she explained.
“I’m just here for now. And who knows? Maybe there is more. I hold my cards close, but at the moment, I’m focused just on this.”
As for sister Serena, who is two years younger than Williams, could she be persuaded also to make a comeback?
“I keep saying to my team: The only thing that would make this better is if she was here. Like, we always did everything together, so of course I miss her,” Williams said of Serena.
“But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let y’all know.”
Williams made her WTA debut in 1994 at the Bank of the West Classic.
Notes: quotes via AFP/AP
