- Venus will turn 44 in June 2024
- She has had a rough patch in her career recently with injuries
- Her younger sister Serena Williams retired when she was 41 years old to focus on family
At 43 years old, the biggest question tennis fans are asking themselves is; is Venus Williams retiring?
The elder Williams’ sister hangs on to a considerably bright future in tennis and her younger sister Serena Williams won’t let her retire.
Serena pushed Venus to confirm her presence as pro tennis player at the Miami Open and Indian Wells this year. Both tournaments are WTA Masters 1000 events and are highly prestigious.
Is Venus Williams Retiring?
The American tennis player is not retiring soon, at least by her admission. She recently confessed that Serena told her she is not allowed to quit.
Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam winner, missed the Australian Open due to an injury but she intends to return to competition in early March.
She missed out on the action in Melbourne over a knee injury she suffered at the US Open 2023 and hasn’t returned to competitive tennis ever since.
American tennis star Venus Williams. Photo/Tennis Buzz
Her absence triggered speculation that she would be retiring in 2024 but Serena has talked her out of it.
“My little sister Serena told me I am not allowed to quit and of course I would never quit. But it’s the mandate, she said no. So I will be back on the court,” she said in her latest YouTube episode.
Venus Williams Struggle With Injury
Venus who turns 44 in June 2024 had a tough season last year as she was plagued by injuries since the beginning of the year.
She suffered a hamstring injury in Auckland and it kept her off from a few tournaments. But it was a recurring knee injury that kept her from season’s end and a new season opener too.
Venus Williams in action during a past match. Photo/Eurosport
Some quarters believed that the former world No. 1 couldn’t come back due to injuries following another rough season. However, she is not retiring yet because all she wants is to play in Florida and California respectively.
“One of my big goals is to play in the United States, to play in the Miami Open and the Indian Wells.
“I have not played there since 2019 due to injuries. It’s a long time. These next tournaments will be in 2024, it’s a lot of years not to play at home. So that’s of course one of my big goals on the horizon, is to be there, prepare to do that. Amongst many goals on the court too,” she added.
Venus secured entry to most tournaments in 2023 including the US Open through a wildcard which contributed to many people believing she is retiring from tennis soon.
When is Indian Wells 2024?
The tournament starts on March 6 to March 17 in California and it will be the ninth time that Venus will make an appearance here after boycotting the event for 15 years.
Venus’ Indian Wells boycott stemmed from a deeply painful incident in 2001. She withdrew from a semi-final match due to injury, causing fan frustration.
However, the reaction transcended mere disappointment. Accusations of match-fixing fueled by racial undertones led to boos and hostile remarks directed at both Venus and her sister Serena in the following matches.
Serena faced the brunt of the negativity during the finals, enduring jeers and even allegedly racist slurs. This deeply affected both sisters, leaving emotional scars and a sense of injustice.
In response, Venus boycotted the tournament for 15 years, as a powerful statement against the racism and negativity they experienced.
Her decision sparked a conversations about fairness to all athletes their colour notwithstanding.
She returned in 2016 and played a little more in California while enjoying respectable treatment by the crowd unlike in 2001.
On the other hand, her presence at the Miami Open this year will mark her 22nd appearance in Florida where she calls home.
She won the Open three times in 1998, 1999, and 2001 while she managed to play in its finals in 2010 but lost to Kim Clijsters.
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