Mason, Ohio — Former world number one and seven-time major singles champion Venus Williams said she is unsure about her future beyond the upcoming US Open, but teased that she hasn’t finished the sport yet.
“I’ve had so many in that moment,” Williams said when asked about next season. “I don’t think you should rule me out. That’s all I can say.”
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday ahead of the Cincinnati Open, she said she received a wild card for entry, the 45-year-old didn’t believe that the focus of her recent return on her recent summer hard court season would play at other events in 2025. good. The wildcards for this year’s final major will be announced next week.
Williams hadn’t played since March 2024 before returning to competition at last month’s City Open in Washington, D.C. She has since revealed that she had undergone surgery to remove her uterine fibroids last August. She told reporters that she couldn’t even stand up straight and that walking during her early recovery was challenging. She said at the time, “it’s not close to playing professional tennis.” When she returned to the clinic court, she was not focused on a formal comeback.
“I think tennis is always at the back of my head, but I felt like I had the time,” Williams said. “It sounds weird, but I just had time to get better and when I was on the court I always felt like I was working on my game, even if it was only 30 minutes, I didn’t let it all fall apart.
Williams won the opening round doubles match against his partner Hailey Baptist in a 500-level event in July with a 6-3, 6-4 win over the Peyton Starnes, 6-4 win over the Fanfare, 6-4 wins. Williams called the fans’ reaction to her return and her performance “very sweet and motivating.” She added that she was surprised by the notice that she received a false announcement that she had received the wild card in March. She called the participation “fake news” on Wednesday, but she still seemed impressed by the reception she received.
“I was in Europe. I couldn’t even stay in that area,” Williams said. “I remember, ‘I wish I could play, I’m just not there.’ And because everyone was so happy, I remember it was sad to let everyone down and say ‘I’m not playing’. I said, “I don’t want to break anyone’s heart.
Williams said a kind of support from the fans inspired her to “give the same love in my performance,” but insisted that they didn’t need any extra motivation. “I’ve always played for me,” she added.
Williams made his professional debut in 1994 and won his first major single title at Wimbledon in 2000. Throughout her career, she has won five Olympic medals, including 49 single titles, 14 Grand Slam Doubles titles, her sister Serena, two mixed doubles crowns and five gold. Serena, a 23-time major singles champion, retired from professional tennis in 2022.
Currently ranked 643rd, Williams will play Jessica Boosa Smaneiro in the first round at the Cincinnati Open.
