Venus Williams is back in the spotlight at the US Open, driven by a clear love for the game and a spark for the hard-court grind that has long defined her career. Her return timing, she explained, comes from that passion, a sentiment she expressed during her first pre-tournament press conference in the U.S. capital.
Her trademark big-hitting style remains central to her plan. That approach was evident as she swept aside Stearns, signaling that she can still swing with the power that made her a global star in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Williams’ recent results have been a mix of solid moments and early exits. She lost to fifth seed Magdalena Frech in the following round after beating Stearns, and then was defeated by Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in Cincinnati. Nevertheless, those performances were enough to secure her a wildcard into the US Open.
The former world No. 1 is set to return to Flushing Meadows, where she captured two of her Grand Slam titles in 2000 and 2001. At 47 years old, she would become the oldest player to compete in singles at the US Open in the Open era since Renee Richards in 1981. Williams, ranked No. 577, will also be taking part in the revamped mixed doubles with fellow American Reilly Opelka.
A broader debate surrounds the wildcard decision. Some argue that granting a spot in the 128-player field to a veteran with more than two years between wins can hinder younger players’ development. Others contend that a player of Williams’s legendary status deserves the chance to compete on the sport’s biggest stages.
Could this event serve as a fitting stage for a glitzy farewell, similar to Serena Williams’s exit in 2022? It’s too soon to tell, but the possibility isn’t ruled out.
What to watch
– How Williams adapts her aggressive, big-hitting game to a modern, crowded draw.
– The dynamic of her partnership with Opelka in mixed doubles and what that adds to the tournament storyline.
– The fan reaction and the overall atmosphere in New York as one of tennis’s greatest icons returns to the spotlight.
Additional notes
Williams’ presence at the US Open reinforces the tournament’s connection to the sport’s history while giving fans a potential highlight reel moment and a chance to witness a late-career chapter from a player who helped shape the game for decades. Regardless of outcome, her return underscores the enduring appeal of the Williams era and the ongoing discussion about how best to balance opportunity for rising stars with invitations for established legends.