Venus Williams makes return from 16-month layoff at the age of 45

Venus Williams has made her return from a 16-month layoff at the DC Open, wowing a capacity crowd in the doubles ahead of her singes comeback.

Venus Williams is back on the court after a 16-month layoff. Picture: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Venus Williams has made her return from a 16-month layoff at this week’s DC Open, wowing a capacity crowd in a straight sets doubles win alongside Hailey Baptiste over Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue.

She will make her singles return on Tuesday night against Peyton Stearns.

Stars will draw huge crowds, even for doubles.

And Venus, a planetary star like none other still in orbit, still has quite the gravitational pull today in Washington. pic.twitter.com/Cj1d3uoG1b

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 21, 2025

The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion says she is not sure of anything beyond this tournament.

The 45-year-old American overcame a serious health scare last year and after enjoying a visit to Wimbledon decided to accept a wildcard into the US capital tournament, the first hardcourt tuneup for the US Open.

“I think I know what I want to do, but I don’t always want to talk about it,” Williams said. “I’m just here for now. And who knows? Maybe there is more. I hold my cards close, but at the moment, I’m focused just on this.”

Williams will open her singles campaign against 23-year-old Stearns, ranked 34th in the world. Stearns won her only WTA title last year on clay at Rabat.

Venus Williams and Hailey Baptiste paired up for the veteran’s return. Picture: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

The older sister of 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams has not played since a first-round loss at Miami last year.

“My personal goal is to have fun I think right now and enjoy the moment, not put too much pressure on myself,” Venus Williams said.

“I don’t know if I define success at this moment in any sort of way other than believing in myself and sticking to my process. That’s not easy to do, especially after a layoff. So those are my goals.”

Venus Williams, the 2000 Sydney Olympic singles champion, has won five Wimbledon singles titles and two US Open crowns.

The most recent of her 49 WTA titles came in 2019 at the Taiwan Open. That was the last year she played a full tour schedule.

Venus Williams with her 2000 Olympic gold. Picture: Jay Town

“I definitely feel I’ll play well,” Williams said. “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.”

A year ago, tennis was far from the most important thing on her mind. “Yeah, my health journey was very scary. You know, this time a year ago I was preparing to go to surgery,” she said. “There was no way for me to play tennis or play the US Open … I was just trying to get healthy.

“In this last year, I have been through a lot physically, so to come back and be able to play and hopefully enjoy myself is a great opportunity.”

Venus Williams still draws a crowd. Picture: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Williams was feeling well enough to accept a wildcard and a visit to Wimbledon added some inspiration.

“I had been hitting the ball and of course I love the game and the hard courts. It’s my favourite surface, what I feel comfortable on. so all those different factors,” Williams said of her choice to play in Washington.

“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. Those things are very exciting.” The seven Slam singles titles by Williams match the rest of the Washington field, which includes four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan.

Originally published as Venus Williams makes return from 16-month layoff at the age of 45