Venus Williams is not finished making history just yet.
Two years after her last Grand Slam appearance, the two-time US Open champion will return to the bright lights of New York after receiving a wildcard entry this week.
Already the record-holder for the most US Open singles draws played, Williams is set for campaign No.25.
Now aged 45, and just a year removed from surgery to treat uterine fibroids – a condition she battled throughout much of her career – Williams continues to inspire women around the world with her strength and resilience.
As the second-oldest wildcard recipient in Grand Slam history, she will compete in the main draw a remarkable 28 years after her US Open debut, where she stunned the tennis world by reaching the final as a 17-year-old.
But her return to the tour has not been simply to make up the numbers; she’s staged a notable comeback.
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As the oldest player in the recent Washington DC event, she defeated world No.35 Peyton Stearns – a player nearly half her age—before falling to Magdalena Frech in the second round. In Cincinnati, she pushed another top-50 opponent, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, to the limit in two tightly-contested sets.
“I’m still the same player; I’m a big hitter,” she explained in Washington DC. “There are no limits for excellence, it’s all about what’s in your head and how much you are able to put into it.
“If you put in the work mentally, physically and emotionally – you can get the result.”
Keeping her cards close to her chest on how much tennis she has left, she is proving she still has the drive to compete and inspire.
“My personal goals are to have fun right now and enjoy the moment,” she explained. “I want to win – but more than anything I just want to get the best out of myself and if I can do that then I’ll be fine.”
Her recent results are proof that confidence isn’t lacking, and there may still be more chapters left in the Williams story.
“Until next time D.C,” she posted to Instagram.
In parallel with her US Open wildcard this week, Williams’ iconic status was honoured in a different way – she was celebrated as part of Barbie’s “Inspiring Women” series, with her own collectible doll.
The tribute recognises not only her achievements on court, but her trailblazing presence and advocacy off it.
On this week’s episode of The Tennis, the podcast panel discussed Williams’ impact on the next generation, which included Australian tennis pro Jaimee Fourlis.
“It’s pretty cool, it’s someone you can look up to not just in the tennis world but what she does off the court and what she does outside,” Fourlis said.
“I know it might not sound big, but honouring her with a Barbie, that’s a pretty cool achievement.”
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