As March draws to a close, a quiet shift will occur on the WTA Tour website: Venus Williams’ player page will fade from purple to grey. The tennis legend will officially be marked as “inactive” a title that comes after a full year without competitive play. But does this signify the end of an extraordinary career, or just another brief pause in a journey that defies convention?
Approaching Inactivity But Not Retirement
Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and global sporting icon, is no stranger to comebacks. Although she hasn’t played a professional match in twelve months, there’s still no confirmation that she intends to hang up her racquet for good.
Wildcard Confusion and Practice Hints
Earlier this year, Indian Wells announced that Williams had accepted a wildcard only to retract the news shortly after, citing a “miscommunication.” According to sources, the Miami Open also extended an invitation. While she ultimately declined, the 44-year-old was spotted on the practice courts in Miami, hitting with Tunisian star Ons Jabeur a clear signal that she hasn’t entirely turned her back on the sport.
Indian Wells and Miami were the only tournaments Williams played in 2023. Her last win came against Veronika Kudermetova in Cincinnati, and her final Grand Slam appearance was a first-round loss at the US Open. Still, the sight of her training at a major tournament venue raises questions about a possible return in the summer.
The Roadblocks and the Possibilities
Physically, Venus has had her battles. Diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome years ago, she’s played through fatigue and joint pain, still managing to compete at the highest levels deep into her 30s. Her last full tour schedule was in 2019, the year she turned 39 a remarkable feat in itself.
Age Is Just a Number
Venus turns 45 just days before Wimbledon begins. Historically, that doesn’t necessarily mean retirement. Martina Navratilova famously won a singles match at Wimbledon at age 47. If Venus were to request a wildcard for the All England Club, where she holds five singles titles, or the US Open, where she has triumphed twice, it’s difficult to imagine either tournament saying no.
Not Quite Done Yet?
Her lifestyle off the court is rich and varied. She recently attended Paris Fashion Week and continues to run her interior design firm, V Starr. But despite her many interests beyond tennis, there is a strong sense that she hasn’t ruled out one final chapter on court.
The Technicalities of a Return
Although ranked No. 1,151 and no longer listed in the international testing pool, Williams has not submitted an official retirement form to the WTA. This keeps the door ajar. To return, she would only need to submit a simple player form and pay a $250 administrative fee a drop in the ocean compared to her career earnings of nearly $43 million in prize money.
- She would also have to comply with out-of-competition drug testing for six months before competing, should she formally retire and then return.
- Currently, she is not obligated to provide her daily whereabouts for testing, as she is no longer within the top 100.
Keeping Everyone Guessing
Venus’ team has remained silent about her future. There are no official statements, no interviews teasing a swan song, and no leaks from inside the tennis world. Even those within the WTA remain uncertain about her next steps.
The sport is filled with tribute packages already prepared in anticipation of her farewell. But they might not be needed just yet.
Not Quite the Final Set
Venus Williams’ career has been defined by longevity, resilience, and unpredictability. She may be listed as inactive, but the story doesn’t feel finished. With Wimbledon and the US Open on the horizon, fans and experts alike continue to wonder: will Venus stage one last return?
Given her history, betting against her has never been wise. The grey status on the WTA site might not be the closing chapter just another intermission in a remarkable saga.
