Venus Williams is set to return to the court in a mixed doubles exhibition match at the 2024 US Open. The American will partner compatriot Andy Roddick against former US Open champions Gabriela Sabatini and Juan Martin del Potro.
44-year-old Williams has been struggling with injuries in the past few years. She has not officially retired but does not consistently participate in tournaments.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion last played at the Indian Wells and the Miami Open this year but faced a first-round exit from both tournaments. Williams is expected to take to the court again in an exhibition match as part of the US Open Fan Week.
Multiple highly-anticipated events are scheduled for Fan Week which will begin on August 19. Williams is expected to participate in the Stars of the Open event. She will partner 2003 US Open winner Roddick against the team of 1990 winner Sabatini and 2009 winner Del Potro.
Along with them, multiple other tennis stars including Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Andre Agassi, and John McEnroe are expected to participate in the ‘Stars of the Open’ event.
Further, another mixed doubles exhibition will take place called the ‘Mixed Madness’. Four mixed doubles teams have been created including the pairs of Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios, Taylor Fritz and Aryna Sabalenka, Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton.
The US Open main draw is scheduled to begin on August 26. Venus Williams is unlikely to compete in the Grand Slam having not received a wildcard.
Venus Williams owns record for most US Open main draw appearances
Venus Williams began her 30th year on tour in 2023. She received a wildcard to play at the Australian Open but she had to withdraw due to injury. Williams returned during the grasscourt season and played at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships. She was ousted in the first round.
Later in the year, Williams received a wildcard to play in the US Open. This was her 24th singles main draw appearance at the New York Major which is the most by any player male or female.
However, her record-breaking appearance ended in disaster. She managed to win only two games in the match against qualifier Greet Minnen in a 1-6, 1-6 loss.
Williams has not officially retired from the sport and mentioned earlier in the year that her sister Serena has asked her not to. She planned on playing in American events early in 2024 at Indian Wells and Miami and she fulfilled that commitment.
