Venus Williams is set to make a jaw-dropping comeback on the WTA Tour, after accepting a wild card to play in the Washington Open.
Venus, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, is now aged 45 years old and is set to face compatriot Peyton Stearns in the first round.
The American, alongside her sister Serena, has lived a storied career, emerging from Compton, California to become one of the biggest names in tennis history.
In the summer of 2000, Venus claimed her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, a place she would go on to win a further four times in the Ladies Singles competition.
6 Jul 2000: Venus Williams of the USA (left) beats younger sister Serena during the semi final game at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, London. Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill /Allsport
After defeating her 18-year-old sister in the semi-final, Venus beat Lindsay Davenport 6-3 7-6 to claim her first Wimbledon crown. By doing so, Venus and Serena became the first sisters in the Open era to win Grand Slam titles, after Serena’s US Open triumph in 1999.
Following her maiden victory at SW19, Venus spoke of ending a ‘nightmare.’
Venus Williams spoke of ending a ‘nightmare’ after winning Wimbledon 2000
Venus Williams became an instant legend after winning Wimbledon in 2000. Her victory paved the way for future successes
Venus’ path to the final was not easy. Seeded fifth at the tournament, the American battled past top seed Martina Hingis in a three-set phenomenon during the quarter-finals, before defeating her sister in the semi-finals.
Venus also dethroned the reigning Wimbledon champion. Number two seed Lindsay Davenport won the Wimbledon Ladies Singles title in 1999.
Speaking on-court after the final, Venus said: “Yes it’s really great because I’ve been working so hard all my life to be here.
8 Jul 2000: Venus Williams of the USA with the Wimbledon trophy after beating Lindsay Davenport of the USA during the final of the womens singles in the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, London. Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill/ALLSPORT
“And you know it’s strange because like I’ll go to bed at night and I’ll dream and I’ll dream that I’ve won a Grand Slam.
“When I wake up, it’s a nightmare! So now that I’ve done it I don’t have to wake up like that anymore.”
Then 20 years old, the American captured two Grand Slams at the same tournament, winning a title with her sister, Serena Williams.
Serena and Venus defeated Julie Halard-Decugis and Ai Sugiyama in the final 6-3 6-2 to win the Ladies’ Doubles tennis title at the 2000 Wimbledon Championships.
Venus Williams’ last WTA Tour match
Venus Williams’ last WTA Tour match was around 16 months ago.
Venus last played a WTA Tour match at the 2024 Miami Open, where she lost to Diana Shnaider 3-6 3-6 in the first round.
Venus’ last tour-level victory came at the Cincinnati Open in 2023, where she beat 16th seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-4 7-5.
However, the seven-time Grand Slam champion could not defeat future Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng, going down 6-1 2-6 1-6.