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06 Aug 2025, 20:11

Venus Williams Confirms Her Intention to Compete in 2026

  • Venus Williams plans to return in 2026.
  • She received a wild card to participate in the Cincinnati Open.
  • During her return, Williams revealed her medical problems.

Mason, Ohio — Venus Williams, former world number one and seven-time Grand Slam champion, is openly discussing her return to tennis following a lengthy hiatus due to health issues. At the press conference ahead of the Cincinnati Open, she stated that she should not be ruled out from the calculations for the 2026 season.

Williams, who is 45 years old, received a wild card to participate in the Cincinnati Open and plans to compete in mixed doubles at the US Open alongside Reilly Opelka. She noted that her main goal is to focus on the upcoming season, but does not rule out the possibility of extending her career.

Initially, Williams returned to the court in July 2025 after an 18-month break, during which she underwent surgery for an autoimmune disease. She spoke about her difficulties, which she faced during her recovery, but continued to engage in tennis in the meantime.

In her debut match at the Citi Open, Williams defeated young American tennis player Peyton Stearns, which became a significant achievement for her. She emphasized that the support from fans greatly motivates her in her ongoing career.

Tags: Sport/Tennis

Articles on this topic:

  • www.espn.com - Venus Williams on playing next season: Don't ever rule me out
  • www.nytimes.com - Venus Williams tells tennis world not to rule her out for 2026 season at Cincinnati Open
  • www.lequipe.fr - « Je ne joue que pour moi » : les raisons du retour de Venus Williams
  • www.theguardian.com - ‘Love is the key, right?’ Evergreen Venus Williams plays on and on at 45