Tennis legend Venus Williams is preparing for an astounding return to the US Open at the age of 45, following a surprising resurgence in her career
Venus Williams Makes a Comeback at the US Open
Tennis legend Venus Williams is set to make her 25th appearance at the US Open this month, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career. At the age of 45, Williams will become the oldest singles player to compete at Flushing Meadows since Renee Richards in 1981.
The seven-time Grand Slam winner has been given a wild card to participate in the tournament, following a 16-month break from tennis due to health issues related to fibroids. Williams returned to the court in July, a year after having surgery to remove fibroids from her uterus.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Williams celebrated the last day of Fibroid Awareness Month, expressing that there can be happy endings despite health challenges. She shared recent photos of her surgery, aiming to raise awareness for fibroid-related health issues.
While Williams did not mention any details about her partnership in the mixed doubles event at the US Open, she is on the entry list for the new-look mixed doubles event. She will be partnering with another American, Reilly Opelka.
Williams, a two-time former US Open champion, has been tight-lipped about her preparation for the tournament beyond her return to the court. However, her comeback to tennis after over 16 months has been a cause for celebration, as she continues to inspire and advocate for fibroid awareness.
Venus Williams' health journey involved a significant battle with uterine fibroids, a condition she suffered from for years and which impacted her tennis career. After living with symptoms for a long time, including an episode in 2016 where severe pain caused her to collapse during Wimbledon, Williams finally received proper diagnosis and surgery at NYU Langone’s Center for Fibroid Care.
The myomectomy allowed her to preserve her uterus rather than undergo hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). This condition caused her considerable pain and was previously misdiagnosed, which delayed proper treatment and affected her athletic performance.
Williams' openness about her condition has helped raise awareness for fibroid-related health issues, emphasizing the need for proper diagnosis and customized treatment plans. Fibroids are benign tumors in the uterus that often cause heavy bleeding, pain, and other symptoms, affecting up to 80% of Black women by age 50.
As Williams steps onto the court at the US Open, she does so with renewed health and determination. Her comeback serves as a testament to her resilience and a reminder that with proper care and support, there can be happy endings despite health challenges.
In her Instagram post, Venus Williams shared her thoughts about overcoming health challenges, which include uterine fibroids, while still achieving success in sports like tennis. Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka have been listed as a team in the mixed doubles event at the US Open, showcasing Venus' return to competitive tennis after a 16-month break due to health concerns.
