Venus Williams to make shock return to Grand Slam tennis after fibroids surgery and 16-month absence
The 45-year-old is preparing for her return at the Washington Open this week after a difficult year marked by health concerns and time away from the court.
She has not competed since the Miami Open in March 2024 and has not won a match since defeating Russia's Veronika Kudermetova in the first round of the Cincinnati Open in August 2023.
But Williams' name has now cropped up among a new list of entries into the star-studded mixed doubles tournament in New York.
Along with Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu and Emma Navarro and Jannik Sinner, Williams has been listed as an entrant alongside partner Reilly Opelka.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion declined wildcard entries into the Washington Open in the past but said she felt up to the challenge this year.
'Most of the time I don't (take up the offer to play as a wildcard),' she said with a laugh on Sunday.
'But this time I had been hitting the ball. And of course I love the game and the hard courts, it's my favorite surface, what I feel comfortable on. So all those different factors.'
Williams is setting new personal goals, prioritizing enjoyment over results.
'My personal goal is to have fun and enjoy the moment, not put too much pressure on myself,' she said.
'I don't know if I define success at this moment in any sort of way other than believing in myself and sticking to my process. That's not easy to do, especially after a layoff. So those are my goals.'
Williams has won the Wimbledon singles title five times and the U.S. Open twice, as well as 14 Grand Slam women's doubles titles alongside her younger sister Serena.
She faces fellow American Peyton Stearns in the first round of the WTA 500 tournament on Tuesday. She's also playing in the women's doubles with Hailey Baptiste.
Reflecting on her future in the sport, she remained characteristically private.
'I think I know what I want to do, but I don't always want to talk about it,' she said.
'I'm just here for now, and who knows? Maybe there's more. Like I said, I hold my cards close, but at the moment, I'm focused just on this.'
Williams also opened up about her health struggles including her surgery last year to remove fibroids - painful but benign tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus.
'My health journey was very scary,' she said.
'You know, this time a year ago I was preparing to go to surgery. There was no way for me to play tennis or play the U.S. Open. I was just trying to get healthy.'
Known for her powerful game, Williams is determined to stick to her strengths.
'I'm still the same player,' she said. 'I'm a big hitter... This is my brand. So it's about hitting big and actually putting it in. So this will be my effort - put it in the court. That's my main goal.'
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