Venus Williams Makes Return to French Open at 45
Venus Williams, one of the most iconic figures in tennis history, is set to make her return to the French Open later this month at the age of 45. This marks a significant moment for the American legend as she steps back onto the clay courts of Roland-Garros, where she will compete in the women’s doubles alongside Hailey Baptiste, a 21-year-old player who is 24 years younger than her.
The pair was confirmed as entrants for the upcoming tournament by organizers, which will begin on May 24 in western Paris. While this is a notable return for Williams, it is important to note that she will not be competing in the women’s singles event at the French Open. She did not receive a wildcard invitation for the singles draw, which has sparked some discussion about her current form and role in the sport.
Williams made a brief appearance at the Australian Open earlier this year, where she lost in the first round. This loss marked her as the oldest woman to compete in an Australian Open singles main draw. Despite this setback, her presence in the tournament highlighted her enduring legacy in the sport.
A Career Filled with Achievements
With seven Grand Slam singles titles and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles to her name, Williams has established herself as one of the greatest players in tennis history. She once held the world No. 1 ranking in both singles and doubles, cementing her status as a true icon of the game.
Her career has been defined by numerous memorable moments, including her 2002 French Open singles final against her younger sister Serena. The two also won the French Open doubles title twice, in 1999 and 2010, showcasing their dominance on the court.
Struggles on the Court and Public Backlash
Despite her legendary status, Williams’ recent performances have drawn criticism from fans and analysts alike. Her return to competitive play has been met with a wave of backlash, with some fans even urging her to retire from professional tennis.
In recent months, Williams has struggled significantly on the court. She suffered a 10th consecutive defeat at the Madrid Open last month when she was eliminated in the Round of 128 by Spain’s Kaitlin Quevedo. This came just weeks after she was defeated in straight sets in the opening round of the Miami Open by Fran Jones.
Given her current ranking outside the world’s top 500, Williams does not automatically qualify for major championships or WTA Tour events. However, due to her stature in the sport, she continues to receive special invitations to main draws and qualifying rounds.
A Long Winless Streak
Williams’ last singles victory came in July 2025, when she beat Peyton Stearns in the Washington Open Round of 32 as a wildcard entry. Since then, she has lost to Magdalena Frech in the Round of 16 and has gone on to face nine more tournaments, all ending in opening-round defeats.
Two of those nine competitions were Grand Slam events. She lost to Karolina Muchova at the US Open in 2025 and then faced Olga Danilovic at the Australian Open this year. Her last WTA singles tournament win was at the Kaohsiung Open in Taiwan in February 2016.
Criticism Over Wildcard Entries
The decision to grant Williams wildcard entries has come under increasing scrutiny. Many fans, analysts, and former players have criticized the use of wildcards for someone whose performance has declined significantly.
Following her latest losses, the debate over her inclusion in tournaments has intensified. Former world No. 1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov called for Venus to stop taking wildcard entries away from more deserving players. He argued that these spots could be better used for young athletes who need the opportunity to gain experience and earn income.
Online, many fans have echoed this sentiment, urging Williams to retire gracefully. One user wrote: “Why is Venus getting wildcards? This wildcard should’ve been giving to someone deserving of the spot.” Another added: “Can someone please tell Venus Williams to retire gracefully?”
While some see her continued participation as a sign of resilience, others believe it is time for her to step away from the sport and let new talent shine.
