Venus Williams has done a major U-turn and gone back on her word ahead of the US Open but it’s very exciting

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Venus Williams is proving that age is just a number in Washington as she continues to enjoy success well into her 40s.

Playing her first match in over a year, Williams defeated Peyton Stearns on Tuesday, a woman 22 years her junior.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion had last played a singles match at the 2024 Miami Open, when Williams lost to Diana Shnaider in the first round.

Fans had speculated as to whether they would ever see the 45-year-old return, speculation that ramped up when Williams declined a wild card to play at Indian Wells earlier this year.

It’s now clear that Williams has a few more chapters left to write in her tennis story, as she makes a major u-turn.

Venus Williams makes U-turn by unretiring from doubles

Not only has Williams returned to singles action at the Washington Open, but she’s also made a return to doubles.

Alongside her fellow American Hailey Baptiste, Williams took down Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue to advance to the quarterfinals.

Williams’ decision to play doubles in DC came as a big surprise, as she had previously claimed she was retired from the discipline.

During a ‘Q&A’ in 2023, Williams claimed she was done with doubles when asked if she would consider playing with her friend Reilly Opelka.

“It would be two big serves. That would be fun. But I think Reilly [Opelka] should focus on his singles, and I am actually retired in doubles,” she said.

“I keep saying it. Nobody believes me. I have seen the mountain top, I have played with the best, I have played with Serena [Williams]. It does not get much better than that.

“As much as I would love to play with lots of people, including my friend Reilly, I think I have done it all in doubles.”

Making a complete U-turn, not only is Williams playing doubles in Washington, but she is also registered to play mixed doubles with Opelka at the US Open next month.

The pair will hope to receive one of the eight wildcards into the revamped mixed doubles event, as they won’t qualify through their combined singles rankings.

Opelka’s inclusion in the event will be a controversial one, having previously criticised doubles earlier in the year.

Reacting to the announcement of the new format, Opelka claimed doubles is for ‘failed singles players’, a comment that was met with fury from many fans and players.

Only time will tell if we will see the pair take to the court at Flushing Meadows, but it will certainly be something to keep an eye on.

Who are Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka competing against for a wildcard spot?

The 2025 US Open mixed doubles tournament will feature 16 teams, eight of which qualify through their combined singles ranking, with the remaining eight receiving wild cards.

Opelka and Williams are near the bottom of the list ranking-wise, so they will need a wildcard, but who are they competing against for those eight spots?

The likelihood is that Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will be given wildcards alongside Emma Raducanu and Olga Danilovic, as will high-profile stars Nick Kyrgios and Naomi Osaka.

How the US Open divvies up the remainder of the wildcards is up to their discretion, as it remains to be seen how many established mixed doubles teams they choose to invite.

Williams and Opelka will be hoping they can join the field when the tournament begins on Tuesday, August 19.