Former world number one Venus Williams is set to make her comeback at the Washington Open on Monday, approaching the game with a renewed sense of joy and determination after a challenging year marked by health issues and time away from the court.
The 45-year-old seven-time Grand Slam champion, who previously declined wildcard entries into the tournament in the U.S. capital, said she now feels ready for the opportunity.
“Most of the time, I don’t accept wildcards,” Williams said with a smile on Sunday. “But this time, I had been hitting the ball well. And of course, I love the game and hard courts they’re my favourite surface, where I feel most comfortable. So all of those things came together.”
Rather than chasing results, Williams is prioritizing the experience itself.
“My personal goal is to have fun and stay present in the moment, without putting too much pressure on myself,” she said. “Right now, I don’t define success in a traditional way. For me, it’s about believing in myself and staying committed to the process especially after time away. That’s not easy, but it’s what I’m focused on.”
Williams, who has won Wimbledon five times and the U.S. Open twice in singles, also boasts 14 Grand Slam doubles titles alongside her sister Serena. She last competed at the Miami Open in March 2024 and hasn’t recorded a match win since defeating Veronika Kudermetova in the first round of the Cincinnati Open in August 2023.
On Monday, she will face fellow American Peyton Stearns in the opening round of the WTA 500 event.
Reflecting on her future in the sport, Williams chose to keep her plans private.
“I think I know what I want to do, but I don’t always feel the need to talk about it,” she said. “Right now, I’m just here, focused on the present. Who knows what’s ahead? Maybe there’s more to come. Like I said, I tend to hold my cards close.”
Williams also shared her experience with a major health scare—undergoing surgery last year to remove fibroids, which are non-cancerous but painful growths in the uterus.
“My health journey was very frightening,” she revealed. “A year ago, I was preparing for surgery. Playing tennis—or even participating in the U.S. Open—was out of the question. I was simply focused on healing.”
Despite the setbacks, Williams remains committed to her trademark playing style.
“I’m still the same player,” she said. “I’m a big hitter—that’s my identity. So it’s about swinging big, but also making sure the ball lands in the court. That’s my main goal right now.”
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