Venus Williams made headlines recently as fans anticipate a potential return to action for the 44-year-old.
The former world number one hasn’t appeared on the WTA Tour for over a year and is now officially considered ‘inactive’.
Surprisingly, Williams was awarded a Wild Card for Indian Wells earlier this year but chose not to appear at the event.
Williams was seen training in Miami with Ons Jabeur, however, as speculation around the American’s return continued to circulate.
Retirement could still be a few years away for the five-time Wimbledon champion, although her next steps when she chooses to make that decision may already have been revealed.
Venus Williams once said ‘no’ to the prospect of coaching upon her retirement from tennis
Speaking in a Q&A on her YouTube channel in 2020, Williams revealed whether she planned to become a professional coach when she retires from the sport.
“No, you know why?” she said.
“Because they don’t listen!
“You tell them to win the point and they lose the point, I can’t put up with that!
“Also I don’t want to have any more sun on the skin than I have had, I would turn into a raisin.
“If I coached people it would just be at night where there is no sun and if they had a daytime match, I wouldn’t be there, simple.”
Williams did, however, suggest that she may be interested in coaching younger players, on a less formal basis.
“I do love being on court with kids, so I think once I am done with playing tennis I will take a little break and then help the young kids a little bit,” she said.
“They don’t need me every day but I am going to come out and say bend your knees.”
When was the last time Venus Williams won a match on the WTA Tour?
Williams competed in two WTA 1000 tournaments last year, in Indian Wells and Miami, losing in the first round on both occasions.
- 2024 Indian Wells 1R – Venus Williams lost to Nao Hibino, 6-2, 3-6, 0-6
- 2024 Miami Open 1R – Venus Williams lost to Diana Shnaider, 3-6, 3-6
She won her most recent tour-level match at the Cincinnati Open in 2023, taking down Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5.
584 days have passed since, as Williams’ wait for a win on the WTA Tour goes on, having chosen not to retire from the sport.
Perhaps the American will make her return to tennis at Wimbledon later this year, a tournament that she dominated in the 2000s.
Venus Williams’ five Wimbledon victories
Five of Williams’ seven Grand Slam singles titles came at SW19, as the 44-year-old proved to be a real threat on the grass.
Competing in nine finals, Williams became very familiar with Centre Court, as she lifted the trophy on several occasions.
| Year | Result | Final opponent | Score |
| 2017 | Loss | Garbine Muguruza | 5-7, 0-6 |
| 2009 | Loss | Serena Williams | 6-7, 2-6 |
| 2008 | Win | Serena Williams | 7-5, 6-4 |
| 2007 | Win | Marion Bartoli | 6-4, 6-1 |
| 2005 | Win | Lindsay Davenport | 4-6, 7-6, 9-7 |
| 2003 | Loss | Serena Williams | 6-4, 4-6, 2-6 |
| 2002 | Loss | Serena Williams | 6-7, 3-6 |
| 2001 | Win | Justine Henin | 6-1, 3-6, 6-0 |
| 2000 | Win | Lindsay Davenport | 6-3, 7-6 |
Williams lost two Wimbledon finals to her sister Serena Williams, in 2002, and 2003, but finally got her revenge when the pair faced off once more in 2008.
A wild backhand from her younger sister on match point saw V. Williams clinch her fifth title on the grass, 7-5, 6-4.
It remains her most recent Major victory, taking her tally to seven Grand Slams, which sees her in the top ten on the all-time list (Open Era)
Fans would no doubt love to see Williams grace the courts of the All-England Club once more when tennis returns to Wimbledon on June 30.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
