Venus Williams remains determined to continue her professional tennis career, but the seven-time Grand Slam winner is reluctant to venture beyond American shores for competitions.
The 45-year-told took centre stage at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday evening, where she battled Karolina Muchova in the opening round of the US Open. She had been handed a wildcard entry into the main draw but struggled against the No. 11 seed in their first-round encounter.
The veteran fell 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 to Muchova, who progressed to the second round much to the disappointment of the spectators in attendance.
The crowd were simply delighted to witness the legendary champion in action as uncertainty continues to surround her future.
Whilst she traditionally doesn’t compete extensively following the conclusion of the US Open, journalists enquired whether Williams might reconsider and participate in additional events during 2025.
She responded: “Are there any tournaments in the States? Can someone move a tournament here? I don’t know that I’m willing to travel that far at this stage in my career to go play.
“I love playing. The level of my game has come up so much since D.C. I tried as hard as I could to throw off any rust, but at the end of the day, there’s only so much that can really be accomplished in three or four matches.
“There were just some shots I missed that- those kind of shots are about feel and less about training, and those are the kinds of things that I just couldn’t stave off today. I had a lot of returns. I was right there, and it’s about the reps. Those are things that I just couldn’t do today. It wasn’t my fault (laughing), the best way I can put it.”
Williams maintained she doesn’t fancy competing at high altitudes either, ruling out her prospects of featuring at Guadalajara next month.
She also cheekily hinted Melbourne is “kind of far too,” downplaying her likelihood of making an appearance at the 2026 Australian Open.
When pressed that she previously used to travel extensively, she responded: “I did. I did do it. My goal is to do what I want to do. I wanted to be here this summer. I’m so grateful for all the folks who gave me a wild card.
“They could have said, ‘Hey, listen, you’ve been gone too long, you haven’t won a lot of matches in the last few years.’ I wasn’t lucky with my health and with injuries.
“But there were a lot of people who believed in me in these tournaments. I’m very grateful to have had that chance and that opportunity to make good on it and have a chance to really strike the ball.
“I play an exciting brand of tennis. It’s a lot of fun to go literally hog wild out there and hit as hard as I can. I’m happiest when I can just hit hard.”
After her triumphant three-set victory over Williams, Muchova is set to face the victor of the match between Sorana Cirstea and Solana Sierra in the second round of the 2025 US Open on Wednesday.
