Venus Williams Returns to Competitive Tennis at 45 in Washington

Venus Williams, the 45-year-old seven-time Grand Slam champion, is making a comeback to professional tennis after a 16-month hiatus by accepting a wildcard entry into the 2025 Citi Open in Washington, D.C. Despite not having played a WTA match since the 2024 Miami Open and lacking a current ranking, Williams feels confident about her game, especially on hard courts, her favorite surface. She plans to compete in both singles and doubles, facing younger opponents like Peyton Stearns in singles and partnering with Hailey Baptiste in doubles. Williams emphasized her love for the sport and desire to inspire the next generation, responding simply to questions about her return with, "Why not?" While she has not ruled out playing beyond this tournament, she is focusing on enjoying the moment and taking things one step at a time. Her return has drawn significant attention due to her status as a tennis icon and her potential plans to participate in upcoming events leading to the U.S. Open.