At 45 Years Old, Venus Williams Is Still an Absolute Force of Nature
Venus Williams walked into the 2025 US Open as the oldest singles player to compete at the event in over four decades. At 45, she received a wild-card entry to the main draw and returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium for her record-setting 25th appearance.
Although she lost her opening-round match in three sets, her performance showed she could hold her own against a top-seeded opponent and that her role in the sport remains active.
Where Did She Go For 16 Months?
There is no denying that Venus Williams is a name that continues to make headlines, and fans still turn up to watch her play. But until this summer, she hadn’t appeared on tour in well over a year. For 16 months, she stayed away from the spotlight and skipped every major tournament in 2024 and the first half of 2025.
The reason behind her absence was medical. The athlete underwent surgery to remove uterine fibroids, a condition that had affected her performance, recovery, and training for years. She used the long stretch to recover properly and gain the physical readiness to participate again at the highest level.
Match Performance Showed Moments of Control
In her opening-round match against Karolína Muchová, Williams lost in three sets: 6–3, 2–6, 6–1. She struggled in the first and third sets but played with control and accuracy in the second. Her serve reached 114 miles per hour. The second set featured some of her cleanest tennis in years.
This was her first Grand Slam singles match since the 2023 US Open. She hadn’t won any such contest at Flushing Meadows since 2019. Despite that, she played with intensity throughout and managed to keep the crowd engaged.
Fan Support Remained Strong Throughout
The audience inside the stadium remained behind her at every point. After the meet, Williams said she felt constant support even when she lost early games. “They were just right there with me,” she said. The cheering also extended beyond the court, with global messages and media attention acknowledging her return.
During the post-meeting Q&A session, Williams appeared relaxed but grew emotional when asked if she had proven anything to herself. She said that coming back to play in better health was the goal. Her voice broke when she described how difficult it had been to play through physical pain in past years. In her words, “It was nice to feel freer.”
A Legacy That Influences Active Players
Williams first reached the US Open final in 1997 at age 17. She went on to win the event in 2000 and 2001. In total, she has seven Grand Slam singles titles, 14 in women’s doubles, and two in mixed doubles. The tennis player additionally holds five Olympic tennis medals and has reached No. 1 in the WTA rankings.
She’s also the first Black woman since Althea Gibson to win Wimbledon in 2000. Her push for equal prize money at Wimbledon and other tournaments reshaped the sport’s policies around gender equity. Players such as Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff, and Leylah Fernandez have credited Williams with changing the way they viewed their own opportunities in the sport.
Even now, Venus Williams remains active, respected, and self-driven. She doesn’t follow the schedule others expect. That continues to make her one of the most compelling players in the sport.