Venus Williams is back on the tennis scene, ready to compete for the first time in over a year. As she prepares for the DC Open, her return has generated excitement among fans, but there’s one thing that would make it even better: her sister Serena Williams returning to the sport as well.
“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,” Venus shared with a smile when asked about Serena’s recent appearance swinging a racket. “But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let y’all know.”
While Venus is thrilled to be back on the court, she still misses her sister, who hasn’t played professionally since her 2022 U.S. Open appearance. Serena, now 43, announced her retirement shortly after, declaring she was “evolving” away from tennis. Despite this, Venus still holds hope that her sister might one day return to the game.
“I don’t know what she’s going to do. I don’t ask those questions,” Venus said. “I think we always hit the ball, because that’s who we are. We’re always hitting.”
A Flash of Serena’s Talent
Venus shared a heartwarming moment from a recent practice session when Serena showed up and played alongside her for about 15 to 20 minutes. Venus was amazed at how easily Serena picked up the game after being away for so long.
“She can take six months off and she clocks it clean,” Venus said. “You can’t teach that kind of talent. She’s just so good.”
Venus’ Return to the Tour
Venus, who turned 45 last month, has had an illustrious career, winning seven major singles titles, including five Wimbledon titles and two U.S. Open titles. Her last tournament was the Miami Open in March 2024, where she exited in the first round. It has been long enough that the WTA Tour officially lists her as “inactive.”
For Venus, her return to tennis is a special moment. “This is very special for me to come back and play tennis,” she said. “I think it’s a surprise for the fans — and a surprise in general, as I hold my cards tight.”
Her decision to return came as a surprise to many in the tennis world when it was announced a week ago that she would be receiving a wild-card invitation to the DC Open.
Her team had reached out to Mark Ein, the chairman of the DC Open, in April to see if he’d be open to having Venus at the event. “She’s such an icon of the sport — and, importantly, both on and off the court,” Ein said.
“So anytime you can have her engaged and have the spotlight on her and everything she’s done and continues to do, it’s hugely positive.”
What Venus Missed About the Game
When reflecting on what she missed the most while away from the tour, Venus spoke about the adrenaline and excitement of the game.
“All the times that I had and, of course, the adrenaline, all those things,” Venus said. “Just the pure fun of playing the game, the fun of the challenge, overcoming — when you play, you overcome so many challenges: your opponents, the conditions, a lot of times you have to overcome yourself. Those things are very exciting.”
Why Venus Is Back
As for why she’s coming back to the court, Venus gave a simple but powerful answer: “Why not?”
Though she isn’t sure whether this return will be a one-time event or the start of more appearances, she is focused on the present. “I’m just here for now, and who knows? Maybe there’s more,” she said. “But at the moment, I’m focused just on this. I haven’t played in a year.
There is no doubt I can play tennis, but obviously coming back to play matches, it takes time to get in the swing of things. I definitely feel I’ll play well. I’m still the same player. I’m a big hitter. I hit big. This is my brand.”
Venus Williams’ return to tennis is an exciting moment for both her and her fans. As she embarks on this new chapter, she’ll continue to honor the values that have made her one of the sport’s greats: competition, family, and the love of the game. Whether or not her sister Serena returns, Venus is ready to make her mark once again.
