‘Excited’ Venus Williams Announces a Fresh French Open Comeback Alongside Chris Evert

Tennis star Venus Williams hasn’t played a singles match in the WTA Tour for more than a year now (precisely 418 days). She was last seen in action at the 2024 Miami Open, where she lost her first-round match to Diana Shnaider by 3-6,3-6. Seeing her absence from the Tour, there has been a lot of speculation surrounding her retirement. But during a previous interview with The Irish News, she confirmed, “I’m not done with the racket yet… At this point, it’s about picking and choosing places I want to be.” However, as things stand, the seven-time Grand Slam champion seems to have now picked up the mic instead of a racket to start a new journey at the French Open…

A few months ago, there were some speculations surrounding her return to the Tour as a wildcard entrant at the 2025 India Wells Open. However, later on, she confirmed, “No, I’m not playing… I’m actually not going, I’m going to be overseas. I’m not going to be here. So I’m watching it on TV. I found out about the wildcard when you guys did. I love Indian Wells and I would love to be there. If I could have accepted it, I would have been like ‘yes’, but I already have other commitments.” Even the Tournament director, Tommy Haas, later confirmed that Venus Williams hasn’t accepted the wild card this year.

However, as per the latest news, Williams is all set to make a comeback, but this time she has switched her racket with the mic as the tennis star is all set to join TNT as a commentator for the 2025 French Open. Venus Williams recently shared this update with her fans on social media.

She tweeted, “I’m excited to join @tntsports as a commentator for @rolandgarros, alongside this incredible roster of athletes! Stay tuned for our coverage to start on Sunday, May 25. #RolandGarros ” Williams even shared this update on her IG stories.

Interesting Fact: Venus Williams’ best record at the French Open was reaching the final in 2002, where she was defeated by her sister Serena Williams by 5-7,3-6.

She will now join TNT’s elite list of commentators, featuring several other legends like John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Chris Evert, Lindsay Davenport, Mats Wilander, Boris Becker, and Jim Courier. What did she say about getting this opportunity, though? Does it indicate her retirement days are now coming closer? Interestingly, the tennis legend confessed, “While I haven’t retired and am still open to returning to the court when the time feels right, commentating allows me to stay immersed in the sport without the physical demands of competition.”

I’m excited to join @tntsports as a commentator for @rolandgarros, alongside this incredible roster of athletes! Stay tuned for our coverage to start on Sunday, May 25. #RolandGarros https://t.co/SIjSeka1U1

— Venus Williams (@Venuseswilliams) May 8, 2025

Williams further added, “This decision wasn’t about stepping away from playing but about embracing a new way to contribute to the sport that’s shaped me. Tennis has given me so much, and now I have the chance to give back by telling its stories, celebrating its stars, and sharing its magic.” How does she feel about joining this elite list of commentators? “Joining TNT’s team, alongside legends like Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Chris Evert, and others, is an honor. Their expertise and passion for tennis are unmatched, and I’m thrilled to learn from them as I step into this new role. Commentating is uncharted territory for me, but I’m approaching it with the same mindset.“

If we look at her tennis career, Venus Williams has been one of the most accomplished players in the history of the racket sport with 49 WTA singles titles and 22 in doubles. Although it’ll be quite exciting for the fans to hear the voice of this former world number one from the commentary box for the first time, still her declaration of not retiring will keep the fans wondering when and where will they eventually get the chance to see her make a comeback to the Tour before hanging up her rackets.

Does her sister Serena Williams have a role in Venus Williams’ delay in retirement?

After Serena Williams’ retirement in 2022, Venus Williams came up with a humorous statement claiming, “As a moment gets closer. Serena ruined it for me cause as soon as she retired, everybody thought I retire, and sometimes they even think we’re twins.” In a previous interview, she also spoke about how she had once thought that she’d cry when she eventually makes a decision to hang up her rackets in the future, but then she realized, “I won’t cry because I’ve definitely given everything to this sport.“

According to one of her statements from January 2024, it’s her sister Serena who always encourages her to keep pushing even at the age of 44! “My little sister, Serena, told me I’m not allowed to quit, and of course, I would never quit. But it’s the mandate. She said no, so I will be back on the court.” Now, since she doesn’t have any retirement plans in the upcoming days, what are Venus Williams’ targets in her career for now?

Well, answering this question, she said, “It’s like, I really don’t have a plan for the first time in my life. As an athlete and a player, there’s a whole plan—I’m going to play this tournament and play these tournaments so I can be ready for that tournament. And now, it’s like, I love playing, I’m going to play every day, and if I feel ready to play, then I’ll play.” However, she has already made her post-retirement plans ready perhaps!

Other than writing books, chasing her passion for fashion, and teaming up with her sister Serena to attend gala events, does Venus have any plans of taking up the coaching role in the near future? She gave this answer in September 2024 while talking to Vivian Tu, Your Rich BFF and her response was a clear no. “No. I don’t want to be in the sun. I’ve had too much sun. I’m surprised, I’m not a raisin now, like, just by the grace of God. And I’m impatient, so I can’t be that patient. I can’t travel to tournaments. I can’t wait on rain delays. I can’t wait for a five-setter to finish so we can get on the court. No, I won’t.”

However, she claimed, she may think of this after ten years, but she’d definitely “never be a full-time coach“. However, Serena Williams has already bestowed the responsibilities of coaching Olympia on her elder sister’s shoulders. Do you want to see Venus Williams taking up a coaching duty, or are you happy seeing her in the commentary box post-retirement? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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