Venus Williams has accepted a wild-card invitation to compete at the DC Open tennis tournament, marking her first official match in over a year. The seven-time Grand Slam champion is listed as “inactive” on the WTA Tour’s website and hasn’t played since the Miami Open in 2024.
Speaking about her return to the tour, Williams expressed her excitement to compete in Washington D.C., citing the city’s energy, fans, and history as reasons for her comeback. The Mubadala Citi DC Open has been a significant draw for the tennis star, with chairman Mark Ein praising her impact on the community.
Williams last played at Wimbledon in 2023, where she was forced to exit after slipping on her knee. The 45-year-old has struggled with Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that affects joint health, since her diagnosis in 2011. Despite this challenge, Williams remains one of the most iconic tennis players, with a record six Grand Slam singles titles and four Olympic gold medals to her name.
Source: https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/45717585/venus-williams-45-accepts-wild-card-invitation-dc-open