Venus Williams’ Return to the French Open at 45
Venus Williams, one of the most iconic figures in American tennis, is set to make a return to the French Open this month at the age of 45. This marks a significant moment in her career, as 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 were officially confirmed as entrants for the clay-court tournament at Roland-Garros, which kicks off on May 24 in western Paris.
Despite her legendary status, Williams will not be participating in the women’s singles at the French Open. She did not receive a wildcard invitation, which is typically granted to players based on their performance or potential. This decision comes after a series of challenges for the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, who has been struggling with her form in recent months.
Williams made a notable appearance at the Australian Open earlier this year, where she became the oldest woman to compete in a singles main draw. However, she was defeated in the first round, marking another setback in her career. The American star, who also holds 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and once held the No. 1 ranking in both singles and doubles, has faced increasing scrutiny from fans and critics alike.
Her return to competitive play has sparked controversy, with some fans even urging her to retire. The backlash intensified after her recent losses, including a defeat in the Round of 128 at the Madrid Open and a straight-set loss in the opening round of the Miami Open. These results have led to questions about whether she should continue receiving wildcard entries into major tournaments.
Despite being ranked outside the world’s top 500, Williams still receives special invitations to main draws and qualifying rounds due to her legendary status. However, many argue that these wildcards could be better used to support up-and-coming players or those returning from injury.
Williams’ last singles victory came in July 2025, when she defeated Peyton Stearns in the Washington Open. Since then, she has lost to Magdalena Frech in the Round of 16 and has suffered nine consecutive opening-round defeats in tournaments where she received wildcard entries. Two of those losses occurred in Grand Slam events, including a defeat at the US Open in 2025 and a loss at the Australian Open this year.
The last time she won a WTA singles tournament was at the Kaohsiung Open in February 2016. Her struggles have led to calls for her to step back from the sport, with some fans arguing that her continued participation is taking opportunities away from younger players.
Former world No. 1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov recently criticized the decision to grant Williams wildcards, stating that they could be better utilized by other players. He referenced comments from Dmitry Tursunov, who expressed admiration for Williams’ achievements but suggested it was time for her to step aside.
Online discussions have echoed similar sentiments, with many fans urging her to retire gracefully. One user wrote: “Why is Venus getting wildcards? This wildcard should’ve been given to someone deserving of the spot.” Another added: “Can someone please tell Venus Williams to retire gracefully? If it’s not too late…”
These debates highlight the complex relationship between legacy, opportunity, and the evolving nature of professional tennis. As Williams prepares for her doubles match at the French Open, the conversation around her future in the sport continues to unfold.
