Venus Williams continues her inspiring comeback today as she returns to action at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, where she’ll face Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the opening round of the WTA 1000 event.
The 45-year-old legend began her summer run last month at the DC Open, reaching the Round of 16 in singles and picking up her first professional victory since March 2024.
That win made her the oldest woman in more than a decade to win a main-draw match on the WTA Tour, and he second-oldest all-time, behind Martina Navratilova.
Now, she’s back in Cincinnati for her 11th appearance at the tournament, which is bigger and better than it’s ever been.
Williams owns a 12–9 career record in Mason, with deep runs in 2012 (semifinals) and 2019 (quarterfinals). She’s received a wildcard into this year’s draw and enters unseeded.
Bouzas Maneiro, 22, comes into the match riding momentum after reaching the quarterfinals in Montreal, losing to fast-ascending Victoria Mboko, and winning a WTA 125 title earlier this summer. The two have never played before.
A Comeback on Her Own Terms
In her pre-tournament press conference, Williams said her return wasn’t about legacy or expectations — just her love of competition.
“You’re never too young or too old to win,” she told reporters. “I don’t think you should ever rule me out.”
“Winning and losing knows no age. All that matters is that I’m prepared and ready. And the longer I play, the more I get into it, the more I train, the better I get.”
Venus Williams
Her performance in Washington showed flashes of vintage Venus, especially when her serve was on target and she kept rallies short. If she can tighten up the unforced errors that plagued her loss to Magdalena Frech, she could again surprise in Cincinnati.
The Road to the U.S. Open
Williams won’t be slowing down after this week. She’s already entered the 2025 U.S. Open mixed doubles championship, where she’ll partner with fellow American Reilly Opelka. The two were awarded a wildcard into the newly revamped 16-team tournament, which takes place August 19–20 during Fan Week at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The draw includes blockbuster pairings like Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Olga Danilovic, and Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe. But few teams will command more attention than Williams and Opelka — both former Top 20 players known for their power and presence.
Venus Joins Tennis Royalty at ‘Stars of the Open’
In addition to her mixed doubles appearance, Williams will also take part in the U.S. Open’s annual “Stars of the Open” exhibition on August 21. She’ll join icons like Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, and Andy Roddick for a night of high-energy, fan-friendly matches inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
It’s shaping up to be a packed August for one of the sport’s most enduring figures. Whether this is a farewell tour or a final run at glory, Venus Williams is still showing up — and still swinging for winners.
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