Venus Williams on playing next season - don't ever rule me out - ESPN

MASON, OHIO — Former world No. 1 and seven-time major singles champion Venus Williams said she was uncertain about her future beyond the upcoming US Open but teased she wasn't done with the sport just yet.

«I'm very much in the moment,» Williams said when asked about next season. «I don't think you should ever rule me out. That's all I can say.»

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday ahead of the Cincinnati Open, in which she received a wild card for entry, Williams, 45, said the focus of her most recent return was on the North American summer hard-court season and didn't believe she would play in any other events in 2025. She has received a wild card to play in the newly revamped mixed doubles tournament, alongside fellow American Reilly Opelka, and is expected to receive a wild card to play in the singles draw as well. Wild cards for the year's final major are anticipated to be announced next week.

Before returning to competition at last month's Citi Open in Washington D.C., Williams had not played since March 2024, fueling speculation she had retired from the sport. She has since revealed she underwent surgery to remove uterine fibroids last August. She told reporters she was unable to even stand up straight and walking was challenging during her early recovery. She said she was «nowhere near playing professional tennis» at the time. When she returned to the practice court, she wasn't focused on a formal comeback.

«I think tennis is always in the back of my head, but I felt like I had time,» Williams said. «As strange as that sounds, I felt like I had time just to get well and when I was on the court, I was always working on my game. I didn't just go and let it all fall apart, even if it was just a half an hour,