Venus Williams, 45, to end 16-month layoff in Washington
tennis
Venus Williams will make her return from a 16-month layoff at this week's DC Open, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion saying Sunday she is not sure of anything beyond that.
The 45-year-old American overcame a serious health scare last year and after enjoying a visit to Wimbledon decided to accept a wildcard into the US capital tournament, the first hardcourt tuneup for the US Open.
"I think I know what I want to do, but I don't always want to talk about it," Williams said. "I'm just here for now. And who knows? Maybe there is more. I hold my cards close, but at the moment, I'm focused just on this."
Williams will open against 23-year-old American Peyton Stearns, ranked 34th in the world. Stearns won her only WTA title last year on clay at Rabat.
The older sister of 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams has not played since a first-round loss at Miami last year.
"My personal goal is to have fun I think right now and enjoy the moment, not put too much pressure on myself," Venus Williams 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."
Venus Williams, the 2000 Sydney Olympic singles champion, has won five Wimbledon singles titles and two US Open crowns.
The most recent of her 49 WTA titles came in 2019 at the Taiwan Open. That was the last year she played a full tour schedule.
"I definitely feel I'll play well," Williams said. "I'm still the same player. I'm a big hitter. I hit big. 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."
A year ago, tennis was far from the most important thing on her mind.
"Yeah, my health journey was very scary. You know, this time a year ago I was preparing to go to surgery," she said. "There was no way for me to play tennis or play the US Open... I was just trying to get healthy.
"In this last year, I have been through a lot physically, so to come back and be able to play and hopefully enjoy myself is a great opportunity."
Williams was feeling well enough to accept a wildcard and a visit to Wimbledon added some inspiration.
"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 said of her choice to play in Washington.
"When I went to Wimbledon this year, I was there for a day and it was so beautiful and exciting. I remembered all the times that I had, and of course the adrenaline, all those things.
"I think just the pure fun of playing the game, the fun of the challenge, overcoming. Those things are very exciting."
The seven Slam singles titles by Williams match the rest of the Washington field, which includes four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan.
© 2025 AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Mainichi
2 hours ago
- The Mainichi
Fencing: Olympic gold medalist Kano wins Japan 1st world epee title
TBILISI (Kyodo) -- Olympic gold medal-winning fencer Koki Kano became Japan's first epee world champion with a 10-9 overtime win against Hungary's Gergely Siklosi in Sunday's final in Tbilisi. A year after claiming Japan's first individual Olympic gold in the sport in Paris, Kano etched his name in history again after edging his fellow 27-year-old in the Georgian capital in a rematch of the Summer Games' team final decider won by the Hungarian. "I'm happy to have got another 'first-ever' (title for the country)," Kano said. The Japanese fencer went on the offensive in the sudden-death overtime, reversing tactics from their previous encounter, and scored the decisive point with a thrust to his opponent's chest. "I was intent on launching the attack first," he said. Kano beat compatriots Akira Komata and Masaru Yamada in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, en route to his championship. "I felt my body was moving significantly well from the first round and managed to continue through to the final," said Kano, who has not felt any dip in his motivation since his Olympics triumph. "I always feel my efforts have paid off whenever I compete and win tournaments in the sport I love. I want to win even more medals." Nikita Koshman of Ukraine won the bronze along with Yamada. In the women's sabre, two-time reigning champion Misaki Emura of Japan went out in the third round.
Kyodo News
5 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Fencing: Olympic gold medalist Kano wins Japan 1st world epee title
TBILISI - Olympic gold medal-winning fencer Koki Kano became Japan's first epee world champion with a 10-9 overtime win against Hungary's Gergely Siklosi in Sunday's final in Tbilisi. A year after claiming Japan's first individual Olympic gold in the sport in Paris, Kano etched his name in history again after edging his fellow 27-year-old in the Georgian capital in a rematch of the Summer Games' team final decider won by the Hungarian. "I'm happy to have got another 'first-ever' (title for the country)," Kano said. The Japanese fencer went on the offensive in the sudden-death overtime, reversing tactics from their previous encounter, and scored the decisive point with a thrust to his opponent's chest. "I was intent on launching the attack first," he said. Kano beat compatriots Akira Komata and Masaru Yamada in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, en route to his championship. "I felt my body was moving significantly well from the first round and managed to continue through to the final," said Kano, who has not felt any dip in his motivation since his Olympics triumph. "I always feel my efforts have paid off whenever I compete and win tournaments in the sport I love. I want to win even more medals." Nikita Koshman of Ukraine won the bronze along with Yamada. In the women's sabre, two-time reigning champion Misaki Emura of Japan went out in the third round.
Japan Today
6 hours ago
- Japan Today
Summer McIntosh goes for her second gold on Day 2 at the swimming world championships
Summer McIntosh of Canada competes in the women's 200m individual medley semifinal at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, Sunday, July 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) swimming By STEPHEN WADE It's Day 2 at the swimming world championships in Singapore. That means it's a chance for Summer McIntosh to add her second gold medal after winning the 400 freestyle on the opening day. The 18-year-old Canadian is trying for five individual golds across the eight-day event in Singapore. On Monday she's a strong favorite to get her second gold, this time in the 200-meter individual medley. She set the world record of 2 minutes, 05.70 seconds at the Canadian trials a few months ago. McIntosh is expected to be challenged by American Alex Walsh. Also in the field is 12-year-old Chinese Yu Zidi, whose age and astounding times are the talk of global swimming. The women's 100 butterfly is another eye-catching race. American Gretchen Walsh — Alex's older sister — is the favorite and set the world record of 54.60 earlier this year. Roos Vanotterdijk of Belgium and Australia's Alexandria Perkins will push Walsh. Two more finals are set. Qin Haiyang of China and Nicolo Marinenghi of Italy are the favorites in the 100 breaststroke. The Italian is the Olympian champion from Paris, and Qin won this event two years ago at the worlds in Fukuoka, Japan. The 50 fly final is wide open, but the quickest qualifiers were Maxime Grousset of France and Noe Ponti of Switzerland. There are also three semifinals Monday — the men's 100 backstroke, the men's 200 free, and the women's 100 backstroke. AP sports: © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
