“I’m not done with the racket yet,” is what Venus Williams stated, putting an end to rumors surrounding her retirement. It has been seven months since she last played. Away from court, the 44-year-old is currently involved in several projects, including her business and writing. Amidst her busy schedule, fans expressed a strong desire to see her return to the court. Despite the speculation and rumors reaching her, she surprised everyone with positive news. Alongside, hypothetically living her retirement, that seems to have been ruined by Serena.

Venus Williams has spoken openly about the idea of retirement. She offered insights into how she feels as the moment approaches. During a recent interview, the WTA legend humorously accepted the confusion caused by her sister Serena’s retirement(in 2022). “As a moment gets closer. Serena ruined it for me cause as soon as she retired, everybody thought I retire, and sometimes they even think we’re twins,” Venus said with a laugh. “Two separate people born on different days. It’s okay now, you know.” Although her lighthearted comment showed her playful side, her reflections on retirement were more serious.

For Venus, the thought of leaving tennis once brought emotions she thought would overwhelm her. “I always thought I would cry when I had to retire because it’s all you know. You spend your whole life just programming your mind every single day…You think about it…dream about it…But I realized that I won’t cry. I’ve definitely given everything to the sport,” the 44-year-old said. She also highlighted how grateful she feels to have been part of something bigger than just winning matches. “I never dreamed that would happen…so that part is amazing,” she added.

This update emerged amid Venus’ promotions for her latest book, Strive: 8 Steps to Find Your Awesome. The book dives into eight principles that have guided her success over the years, including ideas like observing, appreciating, balancing, and striving for greatness. Venus said the book shares the wisdom she gained over 30 years in tennis, with the goal of inspiring readers to achieve their best.

Venus made her last appearance at the Miami Open earlier this year. Her journey in the tournament came to an end in the first round, where she faced 19-year-old Russian player Diana Shnaider. Shnaider defeated Venus 6-3, 6-3, marking a tough exit for the tennis legend. At 43, Venus holds the record for the most appearances at the Miami Open, with 22 in total, and was the oldest player in the 2024 draw. Since then, there has been no update on Venus’ exact comeback spot. However, will her upcoming comeback resonate with her previous return fueled by “craziest” injuries?

Venus Williams Discusses Her Motivation for a Comeback

In January, Venus Williams shared her aspiration to return to two major tournaments on the WTA calendar—Indian Wells and the Miami Open. The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion emphasized the significance of participating in these events, referring to them as “big goals.” “One of my main objectives is to compete in the United States, specifically at the Miami Open and Indian Wells,” Williams mentioned in a YouTube video on her channel. “I haven’t played there since 2019 because of injuries. That’s a long time… It’s been several years without playing at home.”

Despite facing injuries, the American tennis icon remains resolute about staying on the court, crediting her sister Serena for her motivation. “My little sister, Serena, has told me that I’m not allowed to give up, and obviously, I would never quit. But it’s her mandate. She said no, so I will be back on the court,” Venus remarked, underscoring how her sister’s encouragement helps her maintain consistency in training. Serena’s insistence has kept Venus focused on her goal of returning, even while managing her physical challenges.

In the same video, Venus opened up about the injuries that have hindered her progress over the past year. She discussed the knee injury that led to her early exit at Wimbledon last summer following a fall during her match against Elina Svitolina. “I don’t often talk about my injuries because I dislike complaining,” Venus confessed. She described the cartilage damage she suffered as “one of the craziest” injuries of her career, highlighting the difficulties she has faced on her road to recovery.

Despite these obstacles, Venus remains optimistic and is diligently working to overcome the challenges, with the goal of returning to her peak performance by 2024.