After more than a year of inactivity, Venus Williams will return to compete on the professional circuit. The 45-year-old American tennis player accepted a wild card to play in the Mubadala Citi DC Open, a WTA 500 tournament to be played next week in Washington, DC.

It will be her first tournament since March 2024, when she fell in the first round of the Miami Masters 1000 against Russian Diana Shnaider.

Since then, Serena Williams' sister's name appeared on the official WTA website as an "inactive player," and there were no clear signs of a possible return. Until now.

A return full of symbolism

"There is something truly special about Washington: the energy, the fans, the history," Venus said in a statement released by the event's organizers. "This city has always shown me so much love, and I can't wait to compete there again."

The eldest of the Williams sisters already participated in this same tournament in 2022. Now, three years later, she returns in very different conditions, aiming to reconnect with the public and the rhythm of the game. It has not been confirmed whether her return will be just a one-off or part of a broader farewell tour.

In any case, expectations are high. Venus is one of the great living legends of tennis: seven Grand Slam titles (five at Wimbledon and two at the US Open), Olympic medals, and a huge influence on and off the court.

A luxury lineup in the US capital

The Washington tournament will not only feature Venus. Also competing will be world No. 3 Jessica Pegula, 9 Paula Badosa, 10 Emma Navarro, and 13 Amanda Anisimova, this year's Wimbledon finalist. Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu, both with Grand Slam titles to their name, are also confirmed.