Venus Williams Explains What Current Generation ‘Can’t Forget’ As She Makes Much-awaited Tennis Comeback

Venus Williams is playing singles as well as doubles in the Citi Open- her first tournament since the 2024 Miami Open.

Venus Williams Explains What Current Generation ‘Can’t Forget’ As She Makes Much-awaited Tennis Comeback

Venus Williams (Image via X/We Are Tennis)

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Venus Williams will kickstart her singles campaign at the Citi Open on Tuesday (July 22). She will be up against her compatriot, Peyton Stearns.

A day before that, the 45-year-old made a much-awaited comeback when she played doubles with Hailey Baptiste and secured the win over the pair of Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6-3, 6-1. It was Williams’ first official match in 16 months, as the last time she was seen in action was in the 2024 Miami Open, where she suffered a first-round exit.

At the pre-match press conference in Washington, Williams explained why it’s so important for the women to set examples in the sporting world.

I always felt a big responsibility towards promoting tennis and promoting women’s sports. I think that this generation can’t forget that. That women, we still have lots to fight for. An example to set. It’s so important.

The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion last lifted a Major at the 2008 Wimbledon Championships. She last reached a Grand Slam final at the 2017 Wimbledon, which she lost to Garbine Muguruza.

Of course, I am in love with tennis. So, to have the opportunity to have this platform to promote the game even now is a great opportunity. I think when I go out there, I will definitely be trying to focus on me and not focusing on playing for the fans.

Venus Williams added

Williams is playing in Washington for the second time in her career following the 2022 season (lost in the first round). She and Baptiste will next play the pair of Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Cristina Bucsa or the team of second seeds Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai.

Venus Williams makes her feelings known after playing her first official match in 16 months

Venus Williams, for sure, is not at all a favorite to win the Citi Open. For sportspeople, age plays a huge role in determining how long they want to keep playing. For a tennis great like Williams, it’s no different. But it’s her love for the game that has stopped her from hanging up her racket.

Venus Williams
Venus Williams (Image via X/Tennis Channel)

It was inspiring to be out here. I love this game and still hitting it big. I think from the first point, I could see that we were going to be a good team. We just should have started playing earlier, years ago, right? I think Serena was just in the way.

Venus Williams told Sky Sports after her doubles win

With her sister Serena, the five-time Wimbledon singles champion has lifted 14 Grand Slam doubles trophies. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion called time on her career at the 2022 US Open, and the last title that she won was the 2020 Auckland Open.

Williams, on the other hand, last lifted a title at the 2016 Taiwan Open. Since then, she has made it to four singles finals, losing all. The last time she played a final was at the 2017 WTA Finals, where she suffered a straight-set defeat to Caroline Wozniacki.

If she is able to beat Peyton Stearns, then she will become the oldest woman to win a tour-level match since 18-time Grand Slam singles winner Martina Navratilova, who did it at the age of 47 at the 2004 Wimbledon. Williams will also officially become the oldest woman to play in a main draw event since Kimiko Date (did at the age of 46 at the 2016 Japan Open).

If Williams is successful in knocking out Stearns, she will schedule a match against Magdalena Frech, who eliminated Yuliia Starodubtseva. Williams could meet Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals and compatriot Jessica Pegula in the last four.

Also read: Goran Ivanisevic explains why Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic at the Wimbledon Championship