Five-time Wimbledon winner who earned £32million in prize money announces shock return to tennis aged 45
The American legend
Washington
Open.
Advertisement
1
Venus Williams has accepted a wild-card invitation to play singles at this month's DC Open,
The five-time Wimbledon winner is deemed 'inactive' on the WTA list and her last official singles appearance was in
Miami
in March 2024.
Yet her decision to take a wildcard means she could decide to call it a day at the US Open – where she is twice a singles champion – later this
summer
.
Ahead of her return to the US capital, Williams said: 'There's something truly special about D.C.
'The
energy
, the fans, the
history
. This city has always shown me so much love, and I can't wait to compete there again.'
Advertisement
READ MORE ON WIMBLEDON
The Washington DC event, which
features
both the WTA and ATP Tour, with the tournament running from July 21-27.
DC Open chairman Mark Ein said: "She has inspired people around the world with her accomplishments on the
court
and her visionary impact off the
court
.
"I know how much it means to our DC fans and community to be able to watch her compete in person this
summer
."
Williams' most recent Grand Slam appearances came in 2023, when she exited in the first round at Wimbledon - after slipping in the first set and hurting her right knee - and the US Open.
Advertisement
Most read in Sport
Live Blog
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Williams was announced as a wildcard entry for this February's BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells
, before confirming she was not playing there after all.
Williams, 15 months older than 23-Grand Slam winner Serena, won her seven Grand Slam titles between 2000 and 2008.
Emma Raducanu stays cool with fan as she watches men's semi-final at Wimbledon
The
tennis
legend won £32million in prize
money
over the course of her career.
Advertisement
She recently opened up about a private health battle with fibroids.
The last time Williams played a full schedule was 2019.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Kevin Doherty hails ‘brilliant' Luke Dennison after Drogheda keeper secures fourth clean sheet in a row
Drogheda United boss Kevin Doherty has lauded goalkeeper Luke Dennison after his fourth successive shutout kept their European football hopes alive KEVIN DOHERTY paid tribute to goalkeeper Luke Dennison after his side picked up another clean sheet on Friday night. It was Dennison's fourth shutout on the spin as the Drogs played out a scoreless draw with Waterford. Advertisement 2 Drogheda United manager Kevin Doherty hailed after a fourth clean sheet in a row 2 Drogheda United goalkeeper Luke Dennison has been in fine form But it keeps them dreaming of European qualification after missing out this year due to a breach of Uefa's multi-club ownership rules. Dennison has helped marshal a defence that has been one of the meanest in the Premier Division this season — shipping just 25 goals in 27 matches. But the American — who joined Drogheda from Bohemians last summer — had to be alert to keep his fine record intact as he denied Blues' Conan Noonan from distance. And his boss Doherty said: 'He's brilliant. Advertisement 'It's all good in hindsight but Luke was in the stand at Dalymount so it was a really good signing by us.' Friday's clean sheet was Dennison's 14th of the season in all competitions and no keeper has made more saves in the top flight than him. And Doherty was quick to hail the keeper who slotted in perfectly for Ireland Under-21 international Andrew Wogan. The Drogs chief added: 'I had no doubts. Advertisement 'He's just so calm when he needs to be and is a bit mad when he needs to be as well. 'He pulls off saves and keeps the ball out of the net. That's what goalkeepers do. Benjamin Sesko is paraded around Old Trafford after completing £74million transfer 'It's not 'he', it's not just the defenders either, it's the attackers who defend but he's been absolutely excellent. 'I know it's really basic but he keeps the ball out of the net. Advertisement 'There's a lot more to goalkeeping nowadays and I'm not saying Luke can't do that but he's just so comfortable. 'He's very calm and he commands his box. 'He's a good fella, as they all are.' On Friday's stalemate at home, the United boss was not too downbeat that this team had missed the chance to go clear in second place. Advertisement They sit level on 42 points with Derry City — who they face in the FAI Cup last 16 on Saturday in a repeat of last year's Aviva Stadium showpiece. Doherty explained: 'We've beaten Waterford here already, Sligo here twice and we've beaten Galway here. 'We don't struggle to beat teams who would be perceived to be in and around us. 'Better teams than us have drawn games, I can assure you. Advertisement 'We're not happy or satisfied with a point, we never are. 'It was a decent contest without loads of quality moments at either end. It shows you how far we've come. 'For me to be disappointed and whatever, shows you how far we've come in a seriously short space of time
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Former Man Utd star Brandon Williams set for return to football after 14 months with medical booked
Where there's a Will Former Man Utd star Brandon Williams set for return to football after 14 months with medical booked FORMER Manchester United star Brandon Williams is closing in on a transfer to a Championship club as he bids to rebuild his career. Williams, 24, has been without a club for more than a year following the expiration of his contract at Old Trafford. 2 Brandon Williams is set to sign for Hull after the Championship side won the hunt for the 24-year-old Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 2 Williams has been without a club for a year following the termination of his Man Utd contract Credit: Kenny Ramsay But he is now in line to join Hull after the Tigers won the hunt for the Mancunian amid interest from rivals in the second tier and overseas, according to the Daily Mail. A trial with the club piqued interest after his form and attitude left key personnel impressed. And the report adds that Williams now has a medical booked in at the East Yorkshire club next week. The full-back broke through at United at the age of 19 and went on to make 51 appearances for the club in all competitions. However, the Carrington graduate spent the final two years of his United contract on loan at Norwich and Ipswich before he was released to end a 16-year association with the Red Devils. Off the field he was also dogged by personal issues, including being found to have been driving erratically on the A34 when he crashed his Audi A3 in a horror 99mph crash. Williams avoided jail for the 2023 incident, which had come after he was caught with a balloon in his mouth, following a guilty plea to dangerous driving and driving without third party insurance. He was handed a 14-month sentence, suspended for two years, and banned from driving for three years in May of this year at Chester Crown Court. Williams spoke candidly about his career when appearing on Ben Foster's Fozcast podcast, revealing how he had struggled to get out of bed on some of his "dark days". He added in the April chat: "It hurts me watching football now because I just want to be there, I just want to play. Unemployed ex-Man Utd star Brandon Williams opens up on 'dark' times after axing "I miss being in a team, I miss being on the coach, I just think it's that thing where it gets too much for somebody sometimes." Williams, who has represented England at U20 and U21 level continued: "Maybe I needed that break, just take everything in to reset." If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
The 42
9 hours ago
- The 42
Athlone move top after rescuing point against Bohs
ATHLONE TOWN moved top of the Premier Division table but dropped points for just the fourth time this season, as they rescued a 2-2 draw against Bohemians at Dalymount Park and preserved their unbeaten record from 14 league games. Katie Lovely headed home Aoibhe Brennan's cross to give the hosts an early lead before Alannah McEvoy converted from Sarah McKevitt's well-executed delivery to make it 2-0. American striker Kelly Brady got a goal back for the visitors shortly before half-time, and Roisin Molloy's header from Madie Gibson's ball in with six minutes of normal time remaining completed the comeback. The result means Shelbourne can regain their place at the top of the table if they win their game in hand against 11th-place Waterford tomorrow. Fourth-place Galway moved three points clear of Shamrock Rovers with a 2-1 victory at Tallaght Stadium. Advertisement Emma Doherty finished expertly on the half-hour mark from Therese Kinnevey's brilliant cross. Maria Reynolds fired home the equaliser seven minutes later, after Galway failed to deal with a corner. It was another set piece that settled the contest in the 58th minute, as Jamie Erickson headed home powerfully, making it two defeats and one win for Rovers since ex-Ireland international Stephanie Zambra became interim boss. Peamount's miserable season continued, as they conceded a late winner in a 2-1 defeat by third-place Wexford at Greenogue Park. Eleanor Ryan Doyle, recently re-signed by the club following a four-year stint in England, played the through ball for Becky Watkins to open the scoring, with a sudden burst of pace and a clinical finish. Ireland international Ellen Molloy scored a similarly impressive goal to equalise, taking it around the goalkeeper Ciara Glackin and slotting home. Molloy was integral again for the 90th-minute winner, as her clever through pass laid it on a plate for Canadian attacker Charlotte Cromack to finish. Elsewhere, Treaty United earned a late 1-0 win at home to DLR Waves. US striker Bella Flocchini scored an 87th-minute winner, firing home from Ciara Breslin's pullback. At the Showgrounds, Sligo Rovers made it two wins on the bounce, as they overcame bottom-of-the-table Cork City 2-0. Paula McGrory opened the scoring midway through the first half, finishing coolly from Alana Doherty's defence-splitting pass. Muireann Devaney made sure of the win in second-half stoppage time to move Sligo up to ninth place.
