What happened the last time Venus Williams played on the WTA Tour as she prepares to return at 45 years old

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One of the sport’s greatest legends is set to make her return to tennis at the age of 45.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams hasn’t played a competitive match in 480 days, but that’s about to change very soon.

Earlier this year, Williams was handed a wildcard to appear at Indian Wells, but she rejected it, as fans questioned whether they would ever see her return to the court.

Those questions have now been answered, as Williams accepted a wild card into the Washington Open WTA 500 event, which begins later this month.

With the American’s return to action just a few short weeks away, now is as good a time as any to look back at her most recent tour-level match.

Venus Williams last played a WTA match at the 2024 Miami Open

Struggling with injuries throughout 2023, Williams skipped the 2024 Australian Open but returned in time for the ‘Sunshine Double’ events in Indian Wells and Miami.

Drawn against qualifier Nao Hibino in her first-round match at Indian Wells, Williams took the first set 6-3, as she looked to secure her first win since the 2023 Cincinnati Open.

Unable to maintain her level from the first set, Williams lost the second 3-6, before her Japanese opponent took control, coming from behind to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-0.

Making a swift return to action, Williams took on Russian youngster Diana Shnaider in her opening match in Miami.

Starting slowly, the American went a break down early, but quickly fought back, rattling off three games in a row to lead 3-2.

Those were unfortunately the only games Williams won in the first set, as Shnaider won the next four to take a 6-3 lead.

In the second set, it was Williams who made the brighter start, breaking early to lead 3-1, but again failed to capitalize on her advantage.

Shnaider’s forehand was firing on all cylinders as she came through to beat the woman 24 years her senior in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.

Williams failed to pick up the win, largely thanks to her struggles on serve, making six double faults against Shnaider in Miami.

The 45-year-old may well have worked on serve during her 480-day hiatus, as she looks to make her presence felt in the nation’s capital.

Williams will be joined by a whole host of top WTA stars in Washington, including the woman who beat her last time out.

Top eight seeds at the 2025 Washington Open

• 1. Jessica Pegula
• 2. Qinwen Zheng
• 3. Amanda Anisimova
• 4. Paula Badosa
• 5. Emma Navarro
• 6. Elena Rybakina
• 7. Diana Shnaider
• 8. Ekaterina Alexandrova

She’ll have her work cut out for her if she wants to make it through to the second round, but Williams certainly has the pedigree to cause some real damage when she returns.

Venus Williams will be the most successful ‘active’ WTA player when she returns

Labelled as ‘inactive’ over recent months, Williams lost her crown as the most successful player still competing.

When she returns in Washington, she will be back on top, having won more Grand Slam singles titles than any other ‘active’ player in the women’s game.

Her closest rival, Iga Swiatek, could add a sixth Grand Slam title to her collection on Sunday when she plays Amanda Anisimova in the Wimbledon final, but would still trail Williams at the top of the leaderboard.

Between 2000 and 2008, Williams was dominant at Wimbledon, picking up five titles, adding two more to her tally at the US Open.

Venus Williams’ Grand Slam wins

• 2000 Wimbledon
• 2000 US Open
• 2001 Wimbledon
• 2001 US Open
• 2005 Wimbledon
• 2007 Wimbledon
• 2008 Wimbledon

It’s highly unlikely that we will see Williams win another Grand Slam, having last reached a major final at Wimbledon in 2017.

Eight years ago, Williams fell short in straight sets against Spain’s Garbine Muguruza, having lost to her sister Serena Williams in the Australian Open final earlier in the year.

Only time will tell if we will see Williams return to Grand Slam tennis in 2025, but it will certainly be something to look out for as the US Open fast approaches.

Williams will play her first match in over a year when she competes at the Washington Open, which begins on Monday, July 21.