US Open: Tennis Icon Venus Williams to make stunning return to home Grand Slam at the age of 45

One of the greatest tennis players the sport has ever seen, and arguably the most iconic alongside her sister Serena, Venus Williams is set for an incredible return to Grand Slam action in the opening round of this year’s US Open, where she has been drawn against the Czech 11th seed Karolína Muchová. Ranked 610 in the world and handed a wildcard, the seven-time Grand Slam winner will no doubt be greeted with a raucous reception when she steps onto the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium, an arena that symbolically shares her iconic profiling, having been opened as the main court in 1997, the same year that a 17-year-old Venus made her US Open debut.

Her reputation as a fighter both on and off the court is what makes her so iconic

Williams will be making her first appearance at a Grand Slam in two years, and it will be her third tournament since returning from a 16-month hiatus that involved facing significant health challenges. The two-time US Open champion had to deal with Sjogren’s syndrome and uterine fibroids, as well as recurring injuries and multiple surgeries over the last year or so, which led to many speculate that the former world number one had retired from the sport. However, a return to action in July at the Washington Open saw her take down the world number 35, Peyton Stearns, in front of a packed stadium, highlighting that the old Venus spirit, grit, and determination had not left her by any means.

Williams, one of the most influential and inspiring athletes to have graced the game, led the campaign for equal prize money for men and women at both Wimbledon and Roland-Garros, having unerringly defied the double burden of sexism and racism that so many black and female athletes have had to endure. Her reputation as a fighter both on and off the court is what makes her so iconic, and this resilient spirit and love for the sport was a major driving factor in bringing about her return with the American stating: “I think I’ll always play tennis. It’s in my DNA. So it doesn’t matter if it’s now or 30 years from now, tennis will always be one of the most important parts of my life.”

Venus Williams will get to do what she does best at least one more time at her home major

The 45-year-old has recently announced her engagement to Italian actor-producer Andrea Preti, whom she also credited with being a significant influence in her comeback. The pair have been side-by-side through a lot of Williams’ tough times, with the tennis star claiming that: “There were so many times where I just wanted to coast and kind of chill [… but] he encouraged me to get through this and it’s wonderful to be here.”

Whether this will be a US Open farewell or simply another momentous occasion under the lights of Arthur Ashe as she continues to extend her illustrious career, Venus Williams will get to do what she does best at least one more time at her home major: rekindling that fighting spirit and passion for the game, as well as entertaining the masses, all while enjoying every second. “To be here all these years later is an honour, each and every time, and it’s an opportunity. The dream never fades.”