Venus Williams Explains Motivations of Returning to the WTA Tour at the Age of 45

45-year-old Venus Williams will be returning to the WTA Tour after a hiatus of 16 months.

Venus Williams Explains Motivations of Returning to the WTA Tour at the Age of 45

Venus Williams (Image via X/Jimmie48 Photography)

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Venus Williams has announced her return to professional tennis after a 16-month break, driven by what she describes as her “love of the game.” The 45-year-old will make her comeback at the 2025 Citi DC Open. She is set to face Peyton Stearns in the first round, marking their first-ever meeting on court.

Williams last played on tour at the 2024 Miami Open, where she lost in straight sets to Diana Shnaider. Her most recent singles win came during the Cincinnati Masters in 2023, making it nearly two years since her last victory. The long gap has raised curiosity about how she will perform on her return. Williams said in her pre-tournament press conference:

Why not? I love tennis and hardcourt is my favorite surface, where I feel comfortable. During this time, I have been playing and not doing badly. I see young players doing very positive things for tennis and their lives, winning tournaments and inspiring future generations. It is something I never imagined. When I was a child, I just wanted to play and be a champion, but I didn’t believe that the love for this sport could be even greater than myself.

In late 2023, Williams ended her season early following the US Open to focus on recovering from a knee injury. The rehabilitation extended into 2024, keeping her off the tour for a significant stretch. She prioritized healing naturally over rushing back to competition.

During her time away from playing, Williams took on a new role in the sport. She joined TNT Sports as a commentator for the French Open, offering insights and analysis that were well-received by fans and experts alike.

Venus Williams opens the door for Serena Williams return

While Venus Williams is drawing most of the attention ahead of the Citi DC Open, her sister Serena has also sparked headlines. The 23-time Grand Slam champion was recently seen practicing, raising speculation about a possible return. Her appearance on the court has fueled rumors, despite her having stepped away from professional play nearly three years ago. Venus added:

She can take six months off and she clocks it clean. You can’t teach that kind of talent. She’s just so good. I don’t know what she’s going to do. I don’t ask those questions. I think we always hit the ball, because that’s who we are, we’re always hitting…But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let y’all know.

Venus Williams Serena Williams
Venus Williams and Serena Williams (image via Instagram/ Venus Williams)

Serena officially retired after the 2022 US Open, saying she was “evolving away” from the sport. At 43, she has not competed since that farewell appearance. During her career, she dominated women’s tennis, winning 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 14 doubles titles alongside Venus. Her impact on the game remains unmatched in many eyes.

Both sisters were dominant forces in tennis and reached world No. 1 during their careers. Venus, who recently turned 45, has won seven Grand Slam singles titles—five at Wimbledon and two at the US Open. Her most recent match came at the 2024 Miami Open, where she exited in the opening round.

Due to her long absence, the WTA Tour currently lists Venus as inactive. However, her upcoming return to competition and Serena’s unexpected training session have brought fresh excitement. Fans are now watching closely, wondering what might come next for the legendary Williams sisters.

Venus Williams returns after 16-month hiatus

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams has announced her return to the WTA Tour after being away for 16 months. She will play at the Washington Open later this month, having accepted a wildcard entry into the event. The 45-year-old last competed at the Miami Open in March 2024 and hasn’t secured a win since August 2023, when she beat Veronika Kudermetova at the Cincinnati Open.

Venus Williams
Venus Williams

Williams, considered one of the sport’s all-time greats, has claimed five Wimbledon singles titles and two US Open titles. Alongside her sister Serena, she has also won 14 Grand Slam doubles championships. Earlier in 2025, she turned down a wildcard invitation to Indian Wells, explaining she would be overseas at the time.

In her statement about returning, Williams said she was excited and felt a personal connection to the Washington tournament. The WTA 500 event starts on July 21 and features a strong field, including stars like Emma Raducanu, Jessica Pegula, Naomi Osaka, and Amanda Anisimova, who faces Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final.

Williams has dealt with Sjogren’s syndrome since revealing her diagnosis in 2011. The autoimmune disease, which causes joint pain and fatigue, has impacted her schedule in recent years. Her comeback brings a sense of nostalgia and excitement, with fans eager to see a tennis legend back in action.

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