Venus Williams Ahead Of Comeback: 'I'll Play Well, I Am Still The Same Player..'
Venus Williams, 45, returns to tennis at the Washington Open after a 16-month break, and will also compete in doubles with Hailey Baptiste.
As the world eagerly awaits the return of tennis icon Venus Williams, the 45-year-old asserts she is still the same player and is confident she will perform well upon her return at the Washington Open after a 16-month hiatus.
Williams is set to face fellow American Peyton Stearns in the first round. This marks her second appearance at the D.C. event, following a first-round loss in 2022.
'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. 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," said Williams was quoted as saying at the press conference.
She will also compete in the women's doubles with her partner Hailey Baptiste. Williams last participated in a draw at Miami in March 2024.
Who Is Venus Williams?
A seven-time Grand Slam winner, with two US Open titles and five Wimbledon championships, Williams shared that a trip to England for Wimbledon in June reignited her enthusiasm and excitement for a potential comeback.
'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 — 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," she added.
This year's Washington title will be contested by 28 women, including five Grand Slam singles champions. 'I remember my first time coming here. I was about 13 years old — so definitely a love affair with D.C. This is very special for me to come back and play tennis. I think it's a surprise for the fans and a surprise in general.
'In this last year, I have been through a lot physically, as well. So to come back and be able to play and hopefully enjoy myself is a great opportunity, so I'm very grateful to the tournament for the wild card," Williams concluded.
(With inputs from IANS)
view comments
First Published:
July 21, 2025, 21:03 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Boxing legend Mike Tyson denies knowing Dallas Maverick star Klay Thompson
Images via Getty Mike Tyson has no idea who Klay Thompson is. In a recent episode of the Big podcast with Shaq, the veteran fighter was asked about Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion 's relationship. Tyson had to be informed who Thompson was. The boxing legend discussed his relationship with Shaquille O'Neal. Both veterans had different opinions on how the future of this relationship will turn out. Adam Lefkoe explains who Klay Thompson is to Mike Tyson Co-host Adam Lefkoe pointed the question at Mike Tyson. The relationship of Klay Thompson and American singer and rapper Megan Thee Stallion has been the talk of the town lately. Following the hype, Lefkoe threw the question at Tyson. The expectation was to get a hint of the narrative that is going on in the sphere of other sports as well. However, to everyone's surprise, Tyson denied knowing Thompson. — TheDunkCentral (@TheDunkCentral) He stated, 'Who's Klay Thompson, though?' Clarifying it to the legendary fighter, Lefkoe replied, 'He plays basketball. He was in the Warriors. One of the greatest shooters of all time. He is now on the Dallas Mavericks. And he is with Megan Thee Stallion.' Mike Tyson disagrees with Shaquille O'Neal on Klay Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion's relationship longevity The veterans from the world of basketball and boxing had divided opinions. Co-host Adam Lefkoe asked both Mike Tyson and Shaquille O'Neal about the lasting probability of the newly disclosed relationship. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AirSense 11 – Smart tech for deep sleep ResMed Buy Now Undo Shaq believed that the relationship would not last more than six weeks. Mike Tyson Lists The Hardest Punchers Ever, His Tiger Chasing Shaq + React To Klay's New Gf 'Six weeks…The line is six weeks.' The NBA veteran stated. However, Mike Tyson shared a different opinion. He believed that Thompson could keep the American rapper with him. Tyson stated, 'That might just be a long time. You know six weeks ain't nothing. She got that shot. So you have got to give her some credit. You got to give a little credit that he might got some staying power.' Fans react to Mike Tyson's comment on Klay Thompson Mike Tyson's comment received a mixed reaction. While some fans found it funny, others criticized the legendary boxer for his ignorance. A fan named Red Raider Man wrote, 'Who tf is Mike Tyson.' BjackPacers wrote, 'Bruh come on, unc. You telling me you don't know a splash brother' Jim Park commented, ''Who's Klay Thompson" is not a line I ever thought I'd hear' Ade wrote, believing that nothing other than boxing entices Tyson. He wrote, 'Mike Tyson is inherently a pugilist — man doesn't care about anything that isn't combat.' Myteamhawk added his comment, 'In Tyson shoes ..why would he know who klay is just wondering ? Doesn't give af about basketball' Image via NBACentral/X (Screengrab) FAQs Who was Megan Thee Stallion's previous partner? Megan Thee Stallion had previously dated Pardison Fontaine until 2023. Who was Klay Thompson's 'previous partner? The NBA star dated American actor and model Laura Harrier . The duo split in 2020. Which team does Klay Thompson play for? Klay Thompson plays for the Dallas Maverick Also Read: Megan Thee Stallion outlifts expectations in viral gym date with boyfriend and NBA star Klay Thompson Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
News18
39 minutes ago
- News18
FIDE Women's World Cup: When & Where To Watch Divya Deshmukh, Koneru Humpy In Action
Last Updated: India vs China clash in FIDE Women's World Cup semifinals: Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh aim for a spot in the finals as they take on Lei Tingjie and Tan Zhongyi. In what is going to be a classic India vs China clash in the semifinals of the FIDE Women's World Cup at Batumi in Georgia, Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh will take on Lei Tingjie and Tan Zhongyi, respectively, in a battle to seal a spot in the finals of the prestigious event. Humpy and Divya have become the two Indians who made it to the semifinals of the Women's World Cup for the first time, as this is a part of the new World Championship cycle. Highest-ranked Indian for more than 10 years, Humpy is already in the semifinals for the first time in her career, and this is one title that has eluded her all these years. With Divya joining Humpy as the other semifinalist, it shows a paradigm shift in Indian women's chess as well, where the boys have been making hay. Divya employed the Italian Opening in the first match and gave nothing away. D Harika was outdone in the middlegame while trying to find some serious counterplay but ended up miscalculating, which cost her the queen for two white pieces. The rest was easy for Divya, who has now established herself as a force to reckon with in women's chess. Divya, on the other hand, will take on the 34-year-old Zhongyi, who is a former women's world champion. The latter comes into the semis after a hard-fought battle with R Vaishali in the quarters. What is the schedule for the semifinals of the FIDE Women's World Cup? Both matches will begin at 4:45 pm IST. The tiebreaks, if needed, will be played on July 24 at 4:35 pm IST. Where to watch the semifinals of the FIDE Women's World Cup? The semifinals of the FIDE Women's World Cup will be live-streamed on FIDE's YouTube channel. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Olympic Gold Medalist Zheng Qinwen Pulls Out Of The US Open After Elbow Surgery
Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen withdrew from the U.S. Open on Monday, two days after announcing she had arthroscopic surgery on her right elbow because of 'persistent pain.' The sixth-ranked Zheng was coming off a first-round loss at Wimbledon last month. 'Over the past months, I've been dealing with persistent pain in my right elbow during training and matches,' the right-handed 22-year-old from China said on social media Saturday. 'Despite trying various treatments to manage it, the discomfort never fully went away.' Zheng said she anticipated her recovery would take months, so the exit from the year's last Grand Slam tournament was not a surprise. The U.S. Open begins Aug. 24. Listen to the latest songs, only on She was replaced in the field by France's Leolia Jeanjean.
