Venus Williams Shocks Wimbledon with Vintage Upset Victory – Highlights, Reactions & What’s Next

Veteran tennis icon Venus Williams has confirmed she will return to the WTA Tour later this month after accepting a singles wild card into the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C. At 45, the seven-time Grand Slam champion has not competed since June 2024, when a lingering hamstring injury forced her out of Birmingham. The 16-month layoff sparked retirement rumors, but Williams quashed speculation in a statement released by tournament organizers, saying she is “healthy, hungry and excited to play in front of U.S. fans again.” Record-breaking comeback • Williams will be the oldest woman to play a WTA 500 event since Billie Jean King in 1983, underscoring her status as a trailblazer for longevity in the sport. • The DC Open runs 22-28 July on the hard courts that traditionally kick off the North-American summer swing toward the US Open, a surface on which Williams owns four of her major titles. Why Washington matters The capital’s tournament has become a pivotal launchpad for high-profile comebacks—most recently Coco Gauff’s title run that preceded her 2023 US Open victory. By choosing Washington, Williams positions herself for valuable match play and ranking points that could secure direct entry into Flushing Meadows without relying on another wildcard. Fitness update and tactical tweaks According to her longtime coach Eric Hechtman, Williams spent the spring rebuilding strength at her Palm Beach Gardens base, focusing on explosive first-step speed and serve consistency, two weapons crucial on the medium-paced DecoTurf in D.C. She has also been testing a slightly lighter Wilson frame to generate faster racquet-head speed and protect her hamstrings during extended rallies. Potential first-round opponents The DC Open women’s field features rising Americans Emma Navarro and Alycia Parks, former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, and 2024 champion Liudmila Samsonova. The official draw will be released 19 July; Williams could face a seeded player immediately because she currently owns no ranking. What this means for the 2025 season • Brand momentum: With her EleVen apparel line launching a sustainable active-wear capsule in August, an on-court return amplifies marketing visibility. • Olympic ambition: Williams hinted at Paris 2028 aspirations during ESPN’s Roland-Garros broadcast booth cameo; rebuilding ranking points now keeps that distant goal realistic. • Historical stakes: One main-draw victory would give her 815 career wins, tying Conchita Martínez for seventh on the WTA’s all-time list. Fan and peer reaction Younger stars have already welcomed the news on social media. World No. 3 Coco Gauff tweeted, “The queen is back—see you in D.C.,” while ATP legend Rafael Nadal replied with a goat emoji chain. Tournament director Mark Ein expects record ticket sales, noting that Williams’ appearance in 2022 produced the highest single-day attendance in event history. How to watch Matches will stream on Tennis Channel and be available globally via the WTA TV digital platform, with Williams’ opener likely slated for Tuesday night’s prime-time session. Bottom line Venus Williams’ decision to accept a DC Open wildcard is more than a nostalgic cameo; it signals an audacious push to extend one of tennis’ most storied careers. Whether she engineers a deep run or simply adds another chapter to her legacy, the spotlight in Washington will shine brightest on a competitor who continues to redefine what is possible at 45.