“Today, tennis is about excellence,” Venus Williams said Monday during a press conference at the Citi Open.
Our own Kelsey Nelson asked Williams about the significance of winning at the Citi Open during a month in which the country celebrated National Black Women in Sports Day and what it means to represent so many young girls.
Williams answered with pride and perspective on the first day of the main draw. “It’s important that now African American girls know they can play tennis, that it is an option and an opportunity, whether you get to the pros, play college, or just learn from the sport. Women in sports with all colors — that’s so important.”
The 45-year-old tennis legend is making her comeback at the Mubadala Citi DC Open after a 16-month break due to health challenges.
Playing in Washington, D.C., a city filled with family and longtime supporters, has special meaning for Williams.
“Playing here is like playing at home,” Williams said in a separate press conference just days before her singles match. “I have an older sister, cousins, a niece, my great nephew — all my family and friends here. So, it’s definitely a love affair with D.C.”
Williams received a wildcard entry into the singles draw and won her opening match, showing flashes of the power that made her one of the sport’s most formidable players.
“It’s been a while,” Williams said. “My process is only known to me, but to believe in yourself isn’t always easy at every moment. In the match you believe in yourself one point and not in the other. That’s not easy to do, especially after a layoff. So those are my goals.”
However, Williams still wishes to enjoy the sport in its entirety and bring her best game without pressure after her absence.
“I’m not a person that misses a lot,” Williams said. “I have so much I’m doing off of the court that kept me so busy that I don’t know if I had time to miss anything. But I do know that when I went to Wimbledon this year, I was there for a day, and I remembered all the times that I had, and of course the adrenaline, all those things. I think just the pure fun of playing the game, the fun of the challenge, overcoming — when you play, you overcome so many challenges: your opponents, the conditions, a lot of times you have to overcome yourself.”
A groundbreaker herself, who was once inspired to play tennis herself, now reflects on the new generation of young women players she has inspired as they make waves on the tour.
“As a young person, I wanted to play the game, be a champion,” Williams said. “I loved the game so much, I didn’t realize that it would be so much bigger than myself. And seeing these young women doing positive things with their life, winning tournaments, inspiring the next generation, too, it’s like I could have never imagined that. So it’s like icing on the cake, cherries on top with the nuts and all the fixings. It’s beautiful.”
While Williams did not reveal her future plans, her return signals a hopeful continuation of her storied career.
“I’m just here for now, and who knows,” Williams said. “Maybe there’s more. Like I said, I hold my cards close, but at the moment, I’m focused just on this. I haven’t played in a year. There is no doubt I can play tennis, but obviously coming back to play matches, it takes time to get in the swing of things.”
Picture credit: Fox Sports Radio Photographer Joy Washington
