It's a true love story with this tournament," Venus Williams shares her thoughts on returning to competition in Washington.
The WTA 500 in Washington kicks off tomorrow with the presence of the legendary Venus Williams, now 45 years old.
The elder Williams sister continues her career, despite not having played on the tour since March 2024, when she suffered a first-round exit in Miami. Back in the U.S. capital, where her last appearance dates back to 2022, she expressed her joy at returning to the courts and receiving a wild card during a press conference:
"I’m really happy to be here. Playing here feels like playing at home. My whole family is here, all my friends too. I’ve been coming to Washington for a long time. I remember the first time I was here, I was about 13 years old. It’s a true love story with DC.
It’s very special for me to come back and play tennis. It’s a surprise for the fans and a surprise in general because I don’t reveal my plans. Last year, I went through a lot physically. So, this is an amazing opportunity. I’m very grateful to the tournament for this wild card. [...]
Mark (Ein, the tournament director) would tell me every year that he had a wild card for me. I love the game, and hard courts are my favorite surface, the one where I feel most comfortable. All these things convinced me to come back."
When asked about the possibility of playing other tournaments this season, Venus Williams preferred to keep it vague:
"For now, I’m here. And who knows? Maybe there will be more. Like I said, I keep things quiet. Right now, I’m just focused on this tournament. And I haven’t played in over a year.
There’s no doubt that I can still play tennis, but it takes time to get back into the rhythm of things. I’m sure I’ll play well. I’m still the same player, with powerful shots. That’s my trademark.
