Venus Williams, the seven-time Grand Slam champion, has made a triumphant return to professional tennis at Washington's Citi Open after a year-long hiatus. The 45-year-old athlete, whose last tournament appearance was at the 2024 Miami Open, expressed both excitement and nostalgia during a press conference Sunday, revealing her wish to share the court again with younger sister Serena Williams.
"I keep saying to my team, 'the only thing that would make this better is if she was here,'" Venus said, referencing a recent social media clip of Serena practicing. "We always did everything together." While Serena has not competed since announcing her "evolution" away from tennis after the 2022 U.S. Open, Venus hinted at her sister's enduring talent: "She can take six months off and she clocks it clean. You can't teach that kind of talent."
The siblings, who collectively won 37 Grand Slam titles and dominated women's doubles for years, last competed together at the 2022 Citi Open. Tournament chairman Mark Ein called Venus' return "hugely positive," emphasizing her status as "an icon of the sport both on and off the court."
Venus' comeback comes as a surprise to many, with the WTA Tour listing her as "inactive" prior to the announcement. When asked about her extended break, she quipped: "I hold my cards tight." Tennis enthusiasts worldwide now await to see whether Serena will follow her sister's lead in reviving one of sports' most celebrated partnerships.
