The Williams sisters have often defied expectations throughout their remarkable careers.
Therefore, it shouldn’t be a complete shock that Venus Williams – the holder of seven major championships and elder sibling to the celebrated Serena – is returning to the professional circuit this week at the age of 45.
For a considerable period, the speculation centered on whether Venus Williams would ever compete on the WTA Tour again.
Earlier in the season, she was officially designated as an inactive player, having remained absent from competition for a full calendar year.
Then, surprisingly, as the tennis world focused on Wimbledon, Williams declared her readiness to participate once more.
This week, she will make her initial tour-level appearance in 16 months, having accepted a wild card invitation to compete at the Washington Open.
This naturally raises two fundamental questions. Why? And why at this particular moment?
“Generally, I decline the offer to play as a wild card,” Williams stated with a chuckle during her pre-tournament press briefing.
“However, on this occasion, I have been practicing and striking the ball well. Furthermore, I have an affinity for the sport and the hard courts, which are my preferred surface and where I feel most comfortable. So, a combination of all these elements influenced my decision.”
The senior Williams emerged as a promising talent in the 1990s, confirming the long-standing anticipation when she began her professional journey at the young age of 14.
Following her victory in the opening match of her inaugural WTA tournament, the tall, slender athlete further validated the excitement by pushing world number two Arantxa Sanchez Vicario to a close contest in California.
Within a span of six years, she had claimed her first Grand Slam title.
Her first of five Wimbledon victories occurred in 2000, with the subsequent triumphs spread out over the following eight years, while she achieved US Open titles in 2000 and 2001.
By utilizing her height to generate force, Williams revolutionized the WTA Tour with her assertive, first-strike playing style and became a model for success – including her younger sister, who later secured 23 major titles.
The same powerful style that served the former world number one effectively during her peak is how she intends to defeat fellow American Peyton Stearns, who also favors a forceful approach, in Washington.
“I have confidence in my performance. I remain the same player. I possess a powerful hitting style. I generate significant power. This is my trademark,” Williams said with a smile.
“Thus, it involves hitting with power and ensuring the ball lands within the court boundaries. Therefore, my objective is to ensure the ball lands in the court. This constitutes my primary focus.”
