Venus Williams made a magical return to the WTA Open at the Citi Open.
Williams won her first match since the 2023 Cincinnati Open by defeating Peyton Stearns and she also won a doubles match alongside Haley Baptiste.
The 45-year-old has now received a wildcard to play in Cincinnati this season, and she will aim to get more match wins under her belt.
After the Ohio tournament, the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year, will take place, but it remains to be seen whether Williams will grace the courts at Flushing Meadows in 2025.
Photo by Aaron Doster/Getty ImagesSam Querrey says Venus Williams must play well in Cincinnati to get a wildcard for the US Open
Venus Williams is currently ranked number 643 in the WTA Tour singles rankings.
Therefore, due to her low ranking, the American is unable to enter the main draw of tournaments directly or even qualifying events.
As a result, in order to compete at high-level WTA events, Williams relies on being offered a wildcard from tournament organisers. Williams received a wildcard for the Cincinnati Open, in addition to the WTA 500 event in Washington D.C.
Williams would love the chance to compete at the US Open for the 25th time, but Sam Querrey of the Nothing Major Podcast thinks she will need a strong performance in Cincinnati to be considered for a wildcard in New York.
“It was impressive. I did not have the bar set that high for Venus. I did not think she was going to win a match. She hasn’t played much. She is 45 years old,” Querrey said.
“Prior to her winning that match against Peyton she won a doubles match, her and Hailey Baptiste beat Bouchard and someone. So it was a good opportunity for her to get a match win in.
“Then she looked good against Stearns and then played Frech and lost, but she looked pretty good. Quite frankly she surprised me and because of how well she played, she has got a wildcard into Cincinnati and now has a wildcard into The Open.
“I think she has to play well in Cincinnati, she doesn’t have to win. I think if she plays well in Cincinnati she gets a wildcard into the Open. I don’t think it’s a lock that she gets a wildcard into the US Open.”
Photo by TONY BEHAR/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty ImagesWhat is Venus Williams’ US Open record?
Williams has competed at the US Open an impressive 24 times throughout her career, more than any other player.
She has 79 victories and 21 defeats, giving her a win percentage of 79%. She won the title on two occasions in 2000 and 2001.
Williams last reached the US Open semifinals back in 2017, where she lost a thrilling battle to Sloane Stephens, who went on to win the title.
Williams has not won a match at Flushing Meadows since 2019, but she would love the challenge of trying to end that streak this season.