Venus Williams is back on the tennis scene, ready to compete for the first time in over a year at the DC Open.
And she teased the media by saying she would love for her sister Serena Williams to come back too.
“I keep telling my team: The only thing that would make things better is if she was here,” Venus said when asked about a recent social media video showing Serena brandishing a racket.
“We always did everything together, so of course I miss her.
“But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let you know.”
Serena, 43, has not played since the 2022 US Open, when she said she was “evolving” away from the sport she dominated for periods en route to 23 Grand Slam singles titles and another 14 in doubles with Venus.
“I don’t know what she’s going to do. I don’t ask those questions,” Venus said a day before the start of the hard-court tournament in Washington.
“I think we always hit the ball, because that’s who we are. We always hit.”
She said Serena showed up to a training session recently and participated for about 15 or 20 minutes.
“She can take six months off and she’s flawless,” Venus said.
“You can’t teach that kind of talent. She’s so good.”
They were both the best around at one point.
Venus Williams (right) and Serena Williams (left) have won 14 major women’s doubles titles together, including six Wimbledon crowns. (Getty Images: Anadolu Agency/Lindsey Parnaby)
Both reached number one in the rankings.
Venus, who turned 45 last month, has won seven major singles championships, two at the US Open and five at Wimbledon.
Her last tournament was in March 2024 at the Miami Open, where she exited in the first round. It’s been so long that the official WTA Tour website lists her as “inactive.”
Williams is set to meet fellow American Peyton Stearns in the round of 16 on Wednesday (Australian time).
“It’s very special for me to come back and play tennis,” Venus said.
“I think it’s a surprise for the fans – and a surprise in general, because I hold my cards tight.”
The tennis world was a bit shocked when his appearance in Washington via wild card invitation was announced a week ago.
Her team had contacted DC Open president Mark Ein via text message in April to gauge whether he would be willing to host Venus at an event she last attended in 2022.
He said it took him two seconds to respond, “Of course.”
“She is a true icon of sport – and, above all, on and off the field,” Ein said in an interview.
“So any time you can get her engaged and shine a spotlight on her and everything she’s done and continues to do, it’s extremely positive.”
What did he miss most outside of touring?
“All the moments I experienced and, of course, the adrenaline, all those things,” Venus said.
“Just the pure pleasure of playing, the pleasure of facing challenges. When you play, you overcome many challenges: your opponents, the conditions. A lot of times you have to overcome yourself. Those things are very exciting.”
When asked why she was returning to the field, Venus replied simply: “Why not?”
As for whether this is a one-stop tour or whether she plans to play elsewhere, she wasn’t ready to say much.
“I’m just here for now, and who knows?” Venus said.
“Maybe there’s more. … But right now I’m just focusing on that. I haven’t played in a year. There’s no doubt I can play tennis, but obviously coming back to play matches, it takes time to get into the swing of things.
“I really feel like I’m going to play well. I’m still the same player. I’m a big hitter. I hit big. That’s my brand.”
P.A.
