Venus Williams is set to make a long-awaited return to professional tennis later this month, participating in the women’s singles draw at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open, which kicks off on July 19 in Washington, D.C. This marks her first competitive singles match in over a year, having last competed at the Miami Open in March 2024, where she exited in the first round. Williams has not played in the DC Open since her last appearance in 2022.
Expressing her excitement, the 45-year-old tennis icon shared, “There’s something truly special about D.C.: the energy, the fans, the history. This city has always shown me so much love, and I can’t wait to compete there again.”
While she was initially expected to return earlier this year at the BNP Paribas Open, Williams later clarified that she had not formally committed to that event. Currently, she is listed as an “inactive” player on her WTA profile and has not participated in a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2023 due to a knee injury. Williams has also been managing her health after being diagnosed with Sjögren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune condition, in 2011.
Mark Ein, the chairman of the Mubadala Citi DC Open, praised Williams for her inspirational role both on and off the court. He noted, “She has inspired people around the world with her accomplishments on the court and her visionary impact off the court. I know how much it means to our D.C. fans and community to be able to watch her compete in person this summer.”
Williams holds an impressive legacy, including five Wimbledon titles, the last of which was in 2008, along with two U.S. Open championships. In addition to her return, other prominent players in the women’s singles draw for the 2025 DC Open include defending French Open champion Coco Gauff, Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula, former U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu, and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka.
This announcement has generated significant anticipation and enthusiasm as fans look forward to witnessing Williams back in action, highlighting the enduring impact of her remarkable career in professional tennis.