It’s been a year since tennis aficionados last saw the magnificence of Venus Williams’ game on the court. Yet, the whispers of a potential return to the grand stage have been buzzing around the tennis community. The seven-time Grand Slam champion, now at the age of 44, had previously raised eyebrows when she received a wildcard for the Indian Wells Masters. However, the enthusiasm surrounding her comeback swiftly dwindled when she opted out of the tournament due to other commitments.
However, on March 19, fans were thrilled to see Williams’ name on the practice schedule of the Miami Open, sparking an intense wave of speculation. Interestingly, the Miami Open was the venue for her last professional match at the Masters 1000 event the previous year, where she was defeated in the opening round by the upcoming star, Diana Shnaider. During the practice session, she was seen with three-time Grand Slam finalist, Ons Jabeur, on Court 13.
Jabeur has often expressed her admiration for Venus Williams, whom she had the opportunity to face at Wimbledon in 2021. “She’s amazing,” Jabeur had once said of Venus, recounting their breakfast meetings and praising her significant contributions to women’s tennis.
Fans were excited and surprised to see Williams on the court practicing with the Tunisian sensation, igniting dreams of a dynamic duo. However, it was soon confirmed that the American star wouldn’t be participating in the Miami Masters. Her practice session with Jabeur was a random event rather than a sign of a full-fledged comeback. But that didn’t stop fans from expressing their excitement on social media.
The tennis community relished the sight of Venus Williams in action at the Masters 1000 event, with fans dubbing it a “treat for Miami guests”. There was an outpouring of excitement and admiration, with comments like “She is back” and “Nice to see Venus on court”.
Prior to the Indian Wells tournament, Williams had to quell rumors of a comeback. She clarified that her return to competitive tennis was not imminent: “I’m not… That wasn’t true. No, I’m not playing. I found the announcement super amusing because, I don’t know, people seem to be happy, so I was like, maybe I’ll just go with it, I don’t know, I’m not going,” Williams stated.
Williams’ appearances at the Sunshine Double have been nothing short of phenomenal since her debut in 1998. From 1998 to 2001, she bagged three titles and dominated the top-ranked players in 18 matches. Her last victory came at the tender age of 20 at the 2001 Miami Masters. Unfortunately, tendinitis in both wrists forced her to withdraw from the 2020 season, quashing hopes of a fourth trophy.
Despite her brief return to the tour last year, Williams’ plans were disrupted by an injury in 2023. She managed to play only 10 matches before being sidelined for the entire season. However, she expressed her resolve to recover and return stronger: “I am targeting March, that’s when the tournaments go back to the States, so my goal is to be up and running when tournaments come back to the US,” she said.
Williams has been vocal about her retirement plans, insisting that she isn’t ready to hang up the racket just yet. As she balances her tennis career with her off-court ventures and occasional travel, fans are eagerly awaiting her return to the tennis landscape. The five-time Wimbledon winner’s presence on the court, even if intermittent, would certainly be a boon for the game.
